A Broughty Ferry drug addict who robbed a frail pensioner in broad daylight was reported to the police by his disgusted family.
James Devlin robbed his 79-year-old victim at a cash machine in broad daylight on Tuesday, then used the money to buy drugs.
Devlin (28), of Union Street, Broughty Ferry, admitted stealing £200 in cash from David Campbell at an ATM outside Tesco in Brook Street, Broughty Ferry.
The court heard Mr Campbell, who walks with the aid of a stick, withdrew the money just after 9am.
As it dispensed the money, heroin addict Devlin leaned over, grabbed it and ran off.
The incident was witnessed by Tesco staff and passers-by and police quickly obtained a CCTV image of Devlin. Mr Campbell was able to identify him.
Devlin who the court heard “almost immediately” regretted robbing the pensioner confided in his sister in a phone call early on Wednesday morning.
The court heard she was horrified, as the incident had been reported widely in the press, and she asked her husband to call the police.
When questioned by officers, Devlin said he robbed Mr Campbell in “desperation” as the result of his addiction, and the money was gone.
The court was told that Devlin had spent the cash on heroin and that his family had been left “disgusted” after he confessed to his crime.
Sheriff Alistair Duff told Devlin he had carried out “a wicked crime.”
He said, “You preyed on a vulnerable member of society and the fact it was in broad daylight will do little to help Mr Campbell. He will be shaken by this and I imagine the shadow will linger on all of his days.”
Refusing an application for bail, Sheriff Duff added, “I am not running the risk of you doing this again.”
Devlin was remanded in custody and sentence was deferred to February 8.
Mr Campbell said he was pleased Devlin had decided to plead guilty as it would save him from having to give evidence at a trial.
He also praised the police response to the incident and thanked staff at Tesco’s in Brook Street, who gave him a cup of tea while he waited for officers to arrive.
Mr Campbell said, “He was on CCTV and was witnessed hanging around at Tesco at around the time so the only thing I would say is I am glad he did plead guilty as it saves me from going to court. To be quite honest, I want to forget it now.”
Mr Campbell said, “The guy didn’t actually personally rob me. He took the money from the machine.
“I never even put my hands on it. He just swiped it.
“I use the machine on a fairly regular basis and at nine in the morning you don’t expect to be mugged. At 79 I have lived a long time but I am reasonably fit and I’m certainly streetwise.”