The family of an 83-year-old man who was subjected to a terrifying robbery while entering his home have branded his attacker “disgusting”.
The pensioner was returning to the Hilltown from a trip into the city centre at 1.30pm on Wednesday when he was robbed of a “four figure sum” by a callous thug.
After alighting from a bus on Harcourt Street, the man walked across busy Strathmartine Road back to his home just off Canning Street.
A stranger, believed to be around 30-years-old, approached him and began to speak to him shortly before the OAP then entered the communal close of his council flat.
As he put his key in his flat front door, it was then the man swung his arm round his neck from behind, causing him to crash to the floor.
Fortunately, the pensioner escaped serious injuries but the man’s daughter-in-law, who did not wish to be named, said he was “really shaken up” by the attack.
“It’s disgusting,” she said.
“He did not think for one second the guy would turn on him.
“The attacker actually fell on top of him after lunging at him.
“He’s not great but could have been seriously hurt.
“He’s just a bit bewildered and frustrated.
“We’re trying to get him to come and stay with us for a few nights. He’s a very proud man but he is feeling a bit vulnerable now.
“Luckily, he’s given a really great description because he had approached him to speak to him before.”
The suspect is described as 6ft tall, slim, with a grey beard and wearing black trousers, a black top and a woollen cap.
The man was seen running along the footpath next to the Moncur Crescent play park, which leads to Marryat Street.
Police have been seen in the area for the last few days combing for clues.
Officers visited many of the busy corner shops on Strathmartine Road in the hope CCTV could show the culprit following him home.
The daughter-in-law added: “This is the one time he gets out and he will be worried.
“We’re just praying he is caught.
“It might be the case that he was on the bus with him and saw him open his wallet.
“The bus will have cameras so if the attacker was on board, he will be caught.”
A spokesperson for the Tayside division of Police Scotland said: “Anyone with any information should contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting CR/5946/19 or speak to any police officers.
“Alternatively if you have any information about the incident you can contact the independent charity Crimestoppers 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111 or via their Anonymous Online Form at crimestoppers-uk.org.”
