Two men who attacked a pensioner in her Ayrshire home have been jailed for a total of 13 years.
At the High Court in Edinburgh on Thursday, Lady Dorrian told robbers Michael Queen and Douglas McMillan: "This was a nasty, horrible crime committed on a vulnerable elderly lady living alone. You left her injured and terrified."
The court heard McMillan, 47, and Queen, 36, bound and gagged 77-year-old Mary Fisher in her Irvine home before they stole £2,500 and jewellery.
On the night of the attack in September, 2007, Mrs Fisher felt unwell and went to bed. She then saw two figures walk past her window.
Her bell was rung and as she went to the door, the door was forced open and she fell to the floor.
McMillan and Queen, both from Irvine, ran into the house and tied up mrs Fisher. Mrs Fisher struggled to get free but was told "stop struggling, or we'll kill you".
But Mrs Fisher, who suffers from lung condition emphysema, replied: "Well, kill away" and continued to struggle.
After the robbery, Mrs Fisher was taken to the hospital and found to have bruising.
McMillan was later picked out in an identity parade by a witness who saw two men carrying a heavy bag. He admitted assaulting and robbing Mrs Fisher after forcing entry to her home.
'DISGUSTED AND ASHAMED'
Queen denied the offence but was found guilty after his trial. He was jailed for seven years for his part in the attack while McMillan received a prison sentence of six years and three months.
Lady Dorrian ordered that both men should be kept under supervision for a further three years.
Tony Graham, defence counsel for Queen, said: "He acknowledges, on any view, it is a despicable crime." The court also heard that jobless, binge drinker McMillan was disgusted and ashamed of himself.
Last updated: 08 January 2009, 18:26
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