Drug addict jailed after Whitburn pensioner attack

Dec 17 2009 by Alistair Watson, West Lothian Courier

A CALLOUS thug who broke a pensioner’s pelvis by kicking her as she lay on the road in an attempt to steal her handbag has been jailed.

George Hunter dragged his 69-year-old victim on to Whitburn’s West Main Street after she refused to hand over her bag following his attack at a bus stop at 10am on September 10.

The brute then proceeded to boot the brave woman on the body in a desperate bid to get money for his chronic heroin addiction.

He eventually made off with her handbag and £350 in cash leaving his elderly victim lying in agony on the busy road.

And last week at Livingston Sheriff Court her attacker was sentenced to two years for the “despicable” attack.

His victim spent five weeks in hospital receiving treatment and physiotherapy for her broken pelvis.

The Whitburn woman, who does not want to be named in fear of reprisals, told the Courier of her horrendous ordeal.

She said: “It was a lovely morning and I thought I would walk up to the top bus stop. I was going to Livingston to buy a fridge so had a lot of money in my purse.

“I was looking at the timetable when he came in and I had my back to him. He asked if I was waiting for a bus and then before I knew it he was trying to grab my bag.

“I wouldn’t let go and was holding on and he dragged me out on to the road. I fell on to the ground and he started kicking me.

“It was a horrible shock at the time. It was horrendous. I just couldn’t believe it was happening. This was in my home town at 10 in the morning on a busy street.

“I suppose it was just instinct that I held on to the bag. I was just thinking that he was not going to get the bag off me without a fight. At that time the bus I was waiting for arrived and he managed to get my bag and run off.

“The bus driver jumped out and phoned the police and ambulance. The police were really good and the bus driver was great when he stopped to help me.

“A few of the passengers also came off the bus to check on me and I’d like to thank them all for their help.”

The victim was taken to Wishaw General Hospital where the extent of her injuries were discovered.

She said: “I had a broken pelvis and bruising to my arms from trying to hold on to my bag and bruising to my left thigh from where he kicked me.

“I had to learn to walk again. I was on crutches but I’m slowly getting better.

“I just want to get on with my life now.”

And the brave woman added: “I am a bit wary when I am outside now and I am always looking over my shoulder.

“But I will not change my way of life because of it. I still go out and do my shopping .”

Police tracked down Hunter that day and although they were unable to recover the stolen money they reunited the victim with her handbag which contained a picture of her with her late husband.

A the court Hunter, described as a prisoner of Saughton Prison but previously from Fauldhouse, pled guilty to the offence.

The 24-year-old’s solicitor, Kevin Dugan, admitted his client’s crime had been “appalling”.

Mr Dugan added: “He broke down when I spoke to him about it and he is clearly ashamed. He said that if anyone had done this to his mother he would be mad.

“There seems to be genuine regret and remorse shown by him.”

The solicitor said Hunter was topping up his methadone prescription with heroin.

“On the day of the offence he asked his mother for money for heroin but she refused,” Mr Dugan added. “He went out for a walk and came across the victim at the bus stop. It was not a preplanned assault.

“It is clear that almost since he was a boy there have been major problems for him.

“He has had a very difficult time and all of these things have led to a heroin addiction and that addiction led to this crime.”

Jailing Hunter for two years Sheriff Grahame Fleming said the 24-year-old would also be supervised for a year after his release.

Sheriff Fleming added: “This was a despicable crime. I would have sentenced you to three years but it will be reduced to two years because of the stage you pled guilty.

“I also intend to make a supervised release order. It is my view that the public need protection from serious harm.”