Drug Addict Receives Jail Sentence for Robbing Grandmother in Her Own Home
A drug addict has been sentenced to jail after breaking into his grandmother’s house and stealing cash. Christopher Roberts explained that he needed the money to pay back “unsavoury characters” from whom he had borrowed. The incident occurred at his grandmother’s residence on Hozier Crescent, Tannochside, on November 2 last year. Roberts, aged 33, confessed to the robbery at Hamilton Sheriff Court this week.
During the court proceedings, Lewis Devoy, the prosecutor, revealed that Roberts’ grandmother, who is 76 years old, and her 79-year-old husband were present at home when Roberts arrived around 9 pm. Roberts had a habit of having his benefits paid into his grandmother’s bank account. However, the latest payment was not yet due when Roberts appeared at the house asking for money. Despite his grandmother’s refusal and asking him to leave as he was unwelcome, Roberts forced his way into the property.
Once inside, he went to the living room and snatched his grandmother’s bag. Despite her efforts to stop him, Roberts took out £30 and a bank card from her purse. The woman alerted her husband upstairs to call the police as Roberts exited through the back door. Scott Jones, Roberts’ defence lawyer, informed the court that his client deeply regretted his actions and apologised to his grandmother. Roberts had been struggling with drug addiction since the age of 15 and was facing financial troubles due to debts owed to dangerous individuals. Additionally, he was battling mental health issues while being homeless at the time.
Sheriff Mungo Bovey, after considering the severity of the crime and Roberts’ history, sentenced him to eight months in prison, with the term backdated to November 3. Despite the remorse shown by Roberts and his grandmother’s forgiveness, the court deemed a custodial sentence necessary given the circumstances.
In conclusion, the case sheds light on the devastating effects of drug addiction and the lengths individuals may go to feed their habits. It also highlights the importance of rehabilitation and support for those struggling with addiction to prevent such criminal activities in the future.