A Dundee drug addict who stole a pensioner’s handbag while she sat in church has been jailed.
Grant Harvey, 43, was sentenced to three months and 15 days after he stole the bag from 75-year-old Catherine Findlay at St Mary’s Church, Lochee.
Dundee Sheriff Court heard Harvey, of Burnside Court, Whorterbank, was sitting directly behind Mrs Findlay in the church, but disappeared and was seen running down a street outside, having stolen the handbag.
Depute fiscal Sue Ruta said: “The complainer was aware of the accused sat in a pew directly behind her.
“Around five minutes later, she noticed her handbag and the accused were gone.
“Other witnesses saw the accused running outside and found a discarded handbag.”
Solicitor Pamela Dobson said Harvey had shown “remorse” since the offence.
Mrs Findlay said: “I feel sorry for the man he is just a lost cause. He was an opportunist and was wanting easy money. If the sentence will make him better, then that’s a good thing.”
Harvey admitted that, on September 28 at St Mary’s Church, St Mary’s Lane, he stole a handbag and contents.
Sheriff George Way said: “You have violated a church and abused the trust that elderly parishioners have attending mass. You have crossed a line and that has to be punished in a way that makes you realise that.”