News / Pensioner’s purse stolen to feed addiction
A SHETLAND woman has been remanded in custody after she admitted stealing a purse from an elderly infirm woman to feed her heroin habit.
Lerwick Sheriff Court on Wednesday heard that on Monday Samantha Chapman, of 20 Rudda Court, Lerwick, had entered the home of the 78 year old woman who lived nearby.
The woman, who has poor eyesight, thought 24 year old Chapman was a carer when she walked in and engaged her in conversation.
Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie said she asked if she had any paracetamol for her head and asked to use the toilet before taking the purse, which was down the side of the armchair the lady was sitting in.
“Before leaving, the accused kissed the old lady on the cheek,” Mr Mackenzie said.
The purse contained £175 in cash and electricity tokens, which Chapman used to pay off drug debts and buy more heroin to feed her addiction before throwing the empty purse into Clickimin loch.
Lerwick police had immediately put out an appeal for help and quickly homed in on Chapman who admitted her guilt immediately.
Mr Mackenzie said: “This is an example of how low someone can sink to feed such a habit.”
He added that as a result of the incident the woman may no longer be able to live independently at home. “Her confidence to be able to continue to do that has been severely shaken and it is doubtful she will be able to continue living in the way she has been.”
Defence agent Tommy Allan said Chapman knew the woman from living nearby, had genuinely been looking for paracetamol and only noticed the purse as she left the house.
Mr Allan quoted from her interview with the police, during which she said she was ashamed and disgusted with herself and would not have stolen the money if she was not on heroin.
He said: “It’s clear her heroin habit is out of control and that’s what is directly behind this. She paid off her debt and bought heroin with the remainder of it.”
Sheriff Graeme Napier refused Mr Allan’s application for bail and remanded Chapman in custody until 24 March while social enquiry reports are prepared.
This afternoon police thanked everyone who helped with the enquiries. A spokesman said: “This shows that members of the community within Shetland feel confident in contacting the police and passing information in relation to crimes being committed.
“This is an invaluable part of community policing and we would urge the public to continue to assist us in this way to fight crime within Shetland.
“Although this type of crime is rare in Shetland, police would also advise all members of the public to make use of all household security and ensure that they ask for identification from any persons attending at their door without prior appointment.
“They would lastly like to ask members of the public to keep a watchful eye on neighbours who may be more vulnerable to these types of callers.”
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