A Fife woman stole a pensioner’s purse in a shop and then attacked a police officer who apprehended her.
Lisa Nicholson, 31, of High Street, Cowdenbeath, admitted that on August 4 last year at Hill Street, Kirkcaldy, she attempted to steal a purse and its contents.
She also shouted, swore and uttered offensive remarks, and admitted assaulting PC Amanda Donald by repeatedly kicking her on the body to her injury.
In a separate offence, Nicholson admitted that on April 8 last year at Benarty Avenue, Lochgelly, she stole a watch.
Depute fiscal Dev Kapadia said the Kirkcaldy incident began outside an Optical Express shop when Nicholson approached a 66-year-old woman, pretended to know her and asked her if she wanted to go to the bank.
The woman was followed in by Nicholson who claimed she had known her for a number of years.
“The optician thought this was strange – the woman took a seat and the accused again asked her if she wanted to go to the bank,” said Mr Kapadia.
The optician noticed that the woman was looking concerned and she made it clear to Nicholson that she would be making sure her customer got home safely. Nicholson left and the victim then noticed her purse was missing.
When caught by police, Nicholson swore at an officer before kicking out causing bruising to the constable. The purse and its contents were recovered.
Sheriff Craig McSherry imposed a six-month restriction of liberty order.
On October 15 at Dunfermline Sheriff Court, Nicholson had been jailed for a string of offences where she preyed on elderly people claiming to be a council employee.
