An addict mugged an elderly woman just minutes after she had collected her pension.
James Stuart grabbed the woman’s purse, which contained £90, as she walked along a vennel in Milnathort.
Perth Sheriff Court heard that passers-by came to the woman’s aid.
Fiscal depute Rebecca Kynaston said: “The complainer is 79 years of age and resides close to the locus.
“At 4.40pm she went to the post office in Milnathort to withdraw her pension. She did not notice anyone outside and there was only one other person in the post office.
“She withdrew £90, which she put in her purse. She left the post office and walked through a vennel between New Road and Back Loan.
“She felt her purse being pulled from her hand. She did not get a good view of the man but noted what he was wearing.
“She was helped by a passerby. She was taken home and her husband called the police. As a result of the incident she was left shaken.”
The pensioner was not physically hurt in the incident.
Stuart’s solicitor, Paul Ralph, said he had been “in the throws of addiction” at the time.
Stuart was convicted on stealing a purse containing a quantity of cash on New Road, Milnathort on April 26.
Sheriff Fiona Tait jailed the 29-year-old, of Fleming Court, Milnathort, for 225 days.
