A helpless man who lay bleeding on a Fife street following a fall was robbed by two women.
The pair pretended to be coming to the man’s aid, but instead stole his wallet. They made no attempt to administer first aid and left him in a crumpled heap.
The incident occurred in broad daylight on Friday on a residential street in Glenrothes.
Police are seeking a blonde woman aged around 40 and a dark-haired female thought to be around 20 in connection with the theft.
Mid Fife and Glenrothes MSP Tricia Marwick backed an appeal for public assistance in finding those responsible, describing the crime as ”sickening”.
Detectives told The Courier the 58-year-old victim had been walking on Broom Road at about 5pm when he lost his footing.
”He appears to have fallen to the ground and injured himself,” a police spokesman said. ”Two females have apparently approached the male appearing to offer assistance to him.”
However, far from helping out, the women rifled through the stricken man’s pockets before casually leaving the scene.
”They removed property from the male and made off in the direction of Rimbleton Primary School,” the spokesman continued.
The Courier can confirm the women made off with the man’s wallet, which contained an undisclosed sum of cash.
The injured man, who has since recovered from what were described as a series of ”superficial” cuts, has not been named by detectives.
However, it is understood he has been left shaken by his ordeal.
Police issued a description of the two culprits and urged any members of the public with information to come forward.
”The first female is aged approximately 40 years with blonde hair and wearing a cream cardigan-style jacket and jeans,” the spokesman said.
”The second female is aged approximately 20 years old with dark hair and wearing a red cardigan with a grey top.
”Any person who was in the area at the time and can provide any information is asked to please contact Fife Constabulary on 0845 6005702.”
Alternatively, anyone can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.”
Ms Marwick said locals would be ”horrified” by the crime.
”This really is a sickening act,” she said. ”To hear of people pretending to help when really they just want to help themselves is appalling.
”The vast majority of people in Glenrothes are law-abiding citizens who, like me, will be disgusted by this.
”I would urge anyone at all who has seen anything or who has any information to get in touch with the authorities as quickly as possible.”