‘Opportunistic’ thief took pensioner’s handbag from cafe

A drug addict stole an 89-year-old Angus woman’s handbag in an “opportunistic” theft.

Mark Broomfield, 35, of Glenesk Avenue, Montrose, appeared at Arbroath Sheriff Court on Tuesday after the incident on June 11.

He admitted stealing the handbag, containing more than £100 in cash, from the Arbroath Morrisons cafe.

The court heard the elderly woman was a regular at the cafe and sat in the same seat every day.

Depute fiscal Jill Drummond said: “She placed the bag on the table, removed her purse and made her way up to the counter.

“Around 2.40pm, a witness sitting in the cafe saw a male approach the table where the complainer had been seated.”

Broomfield picked up the handbag and exited the store. When the pensioner got back to her table she realised her bag had been taken and police were called.

Officers reviewed CCTV footage of the incident and were able to identify Broomfield.

Broomfield was arrested and taken to Arbroath police office, where he was also found to have a small amount of cannabis.

Sheriff William Wood jailed Broomfield for 12 weeks, backdated to June 16, and ordered him to forfeit the stolen cash.