A Dundee pensioner was robbed in her own home when a faeces-encrusted crack addict with a “horrific odour” forced his way in late at night.
William Humphreys was jailed for four years after barging his way into an ill 69-year-old’s home, throttling her and robbing her of items including precious photographs.
One-legged Humphreys throttled the woman on her own couch for two minutes before making off.
Dundee Sheriff Court heard his victim is now terrified to leave her home.
Humphreys’ bid to hand over benefits he has been accruing since the offence in exchange for his freedom was thrown out by a sheriff who labelled the incident “particularly nasty.”
Grotesque robbery
Prosecutor Joanne Ritchie explained Humphreys’ victim had been at home when a man arrived at her door and identified himself as Ricky, a friend of hers.
When she opened the door, she was faced with one-legged Humphreys, wearing dirty clothing and with a “horrific odour.”
He pushed the woman on the chest, causing her to fall to the ground.
Supporting himself against the wall, he hopped into the living room and pushed the woman onto her sofa when she followed him.
He seized her neck for a minute or two and ripped her necklace off, before making off with her purse.
He left the woman terrified and her house full of dirty marks.
He was discovered at a flat in Dalfield Court and told police he had been there all night.
Officers were concerned for his state of hygiene when they arrested him, noting he was covered in fresh and older faeces.
‘Horrific’ admission
HMP Perth inmate Humphreys previously admitted the January 3 2023 assault and robbery of a purse containing £60, cards, receipts and photographs.
The court heard Humphreys, 49, has been offending since 1992 and has seven assault convictions on his record.
Solicitor Nick Whelan said: “His words were that this was horrific.
“He was in the throes of a fairly significant crack cocaine problem.
“He’s taken the time while in Perth Prison to enter education for the first time since he was 14 – he’s learning computer courses.
“His benefits have still been getting paid. He’s now accumulated around £3,500. It could be that an appropriate sentence is a significant compensation order.”
‘Derisory’ benefits offer
Sheriff Tim Niven-Smith jailed Humphreys for four years, backdated to October 30 last year, rejecting his bid to “buy his way out of jail”.
He said: “It shows the depths of depravity he’s reached.
“It can’t be happenstance that you attended, identified yourself by a name which was not your name and coincidentally is the name of a friend of your victim.
“There must have been an element of pre-planning.
“She suffers from COPD and I consider her to be vulnerable.
“This is a particularly nasty assault. The nature of the attack was sustained.
“You then stole items from her. You took from her… not just items that are easily replaced but family photographs.
“Often for those in their late 60s, 70s and above, family photographs can be of very significant sentimental value.
“I have no doubt that you rifled through, took what you thought was valuable and simply discarded the rest.
“These images may be lost forever. There is no alternative to custody.
“Whilst the injury was minimal despite the level of force and strangulation, you have left your victim terrified to leave her house.
“That is you who has done that and you offer a derisory amount of money as if it would offer proper recompense.”
The sheriff also made a 10-year non-harassment order to protect Humphreys’ victim.
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