Big Issue seller jailed for ‘despicable’ bank card theft

A Big Issue seller who befriended a ”vulnerable” woman and illegally used her bank card has been sent to prison for eight months for a crime described by a sheriff as ”despicable”.

Richard Bekier (41), of South William Street, Perth, admitted that between July 15 and 19 last year at an address in Market Court, Perth, he stole a credit card.

He also admitted that between July 18 and 20 last year in South Methven Street, Perth, he forced open a lockfast automated teller machine and stole £300 by means of credit card and PIN code.

Bekier pled guilty to a further charge that on July 18 last year at the Tesco Metro, South Street, Perth, he obtained goods to the value of £29.18 by fraud.

Depute fiscal Stuart Richardson said Bekier got to know the woman when he sold the Big Issue outside Morrison’s supermarket.

”The pair talked and she eventually allowed him to stay overnight,” he said.

”The woman had alcohol problems. The accused took her credit card and made 11 separate transactions.”

Sheriff Lindsay Foulis told Bekier: ”This was a vulnerable woman who befriended you and entrusted you with her credit card. It was despicable.”