A callous mugger carried on trying to wrestle a handbag away from her 78-year-old victim as she was having a heart attack.
The pensioner suffered chest pains and breathlessness when she was shocked by drug addict Hayley Spink climbing into her car to snatch her bag.
She was in clear distress and pain as she tried to fight off Spink and was only rescued by a brave passer-by who grabbed the heartless crack addict.
Dundee Sheriff Court was told the victim suffered flashbacks and nightmares as a result of the incident and had lost confidence in going out.
Spink, who has 18 previous convictions for crimes of dishonesty, had been allowed out on six different bail orders at the time of the attack.
She was also on a community payback order and awaiting sentence for shoplifting.
Spink wept in the dock as her lawyer told the court she was ashamed of what she had done and the consequences it had for her innocent victim.
Struggle led to heart attack
Fiscal depute Lynn Mannion told the court: “At the time, the accused was on six bail orders.
“The complainer, who was 78, drove herself to the Post Office.
“She posted cards and went back to her car.
“She was sat in the driver’s seat when the accused opened the passenger door and tried to seize her bag.
“The complainer took a hold of it and the accused began to struggle with her.
“The complainer began to feel very breathless and had pain in her chest.
“The complainer reported feeling terrified and she didn’t know what to do.
“A witness saw what was happening and pulled the accused out of the car.
“She tried to flee but was restrained by him and another passing male until the police arrived.
“The complainer struggled to move due to the pain in her chest and shortness of breath.”
Hospital tests
People at the scene retrieved water for the victim and waited with her until an ambulance arrived to take her to Ninewells Hospital for checks.
“She went for tests as it was suspected she had suffered a heart attack in the car.
“The consultant subsequently confirmed that she had indeed suffered a heart attack.”
The court was told she spent three days recovering in hospital, although she did not require surgery.
Spink, 35, from Dundee, admitted assaulting the woman – now 79 – in Brantwood Avenue, on August 9 2022, by getting in her car and trying to seize her handbag.
She admitted struggling with the pensioner to her severe injury.
Crack addict
Solicitor Annika Jethwa, defending, said: “This is a very, very serious matter – she acknowledges and accepts that.
“She has a record but it is minor prior to this.
“She lost her grandmother, who she resided with, and her drug problem escalated to the extent that she was taking crack cocaine.
“Things went from bad to worse.
“She accepts she was in the wrong and was very anxious to resolve this without the complainer coming to court.
“She is devastated by her conduct. There is absolutely no excuse for it.
“She is very upset by the consequences of what’s happened to this lady and the emotional impact she has suffered.”
Sheriff Jillian Martin-Brown, who deferred sentence for reports and remanded Spink in custody, said: “It’s had a big emotional impact.”
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