SNS GroupA man robbed a lone 86-year-old woman as she walked home from church.
Abel Ghebrehiwret preyed upon the pensioner in Glasgow’s Possilpark on June 30.
The 28-year-old grabbed and pulled so hard on the woman’s handbag that the strap broke off.
He then made off with the bag, which he later abandoned, but kept her purse, which contained £150.
Ghebrehiwret was previously jailed for two years in 2021 for mugging an 89-year-old woman.
He had targeted the woman at her flat and made off with her handbag, which contained £70.
Days later, Ghebrehiwret struck again, robbing a 66-year-old of her handbag.
Ghebrehiwret pleaded guilty to his latest charge of assault and robbery.
The court heard that the victim, who has COPD and uses a walking frame, had left Possilpark Parish Church to return home.
On her way home, she stopped in at a local shop and upon leaving she put the purse which contained £150 in her handbag.
Prosecutor Josh Dowie said: “[The victim] was unaware that Ghebrehiwret was following her.
“She felt him grab her by the shoulder, and he took hold of her bag.
“Ghebrehiwret pulled it with such force that the strap snapped.”
The woman screamed for help, but there was nobody nearby to assist her.
She reported the matter to her next-door neighbour, and the police were made aware of the incident.
CCTV was used to identify Ghebrehiwret, and he was arrested the next day.
The woman’s handbag was later recovered, but her purse was not inside.
The sentence was deferred pending background reports until next month by Sheriff Louise Arrol, KC.
The sheriff told him: “I can’t think of a more vulnerable person than an 86-year-old lone woman who uses a walking implement and was robbed by you.
“In among all of that, you have analogous previous convictions, so I am calling for a risk assessment.
“I am far from satisfied that any licence period will be sufficient enough to protect the public from serious harm by you and you will be remanded in custody.”
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