A cold-hearted female thief who robbed a series of elderly and vulnerable people in Fraserburgh has been locked up for her cruel behaviour.
Marianne Downie, 28, barged into her victims’ homes and subjected them to terrifying threats of violence before stealing money.
On one occasion, a woman was waiting for an ambulance to arrive when Downie seized her chance and grabbed £200 from the pensioner’s handbag.
She also targeted an 82-year-old man twice in a matter of months, ripping off his emergency bracelet to prevent him from calling for help.
Sheriff Graham Buchanan described Downie’s actions as “nasty” and “absolutely cruel behaviour” towards elderly and vulnerable people in her own community.
Helped man with shopping … then robbed him blind
Fiscal depute Lynne MacVicar told the court in June last year the 82-year-old man was returning to his sheltered housing accommodation after going shopping in Fraserburgh town centre.
Downie approached him, giving her name as “Stacy” and offered to help him home with his shopping bags.
Ms MacVicar said: “He accepted this assistance and on reaching home, the complainer thanked the accused who then requested to use the toilet within his flat.
“The complainer agreed that the accused could do so and she followed him into the locus.”
Once inside, Downie immediately entered the complainer’s bedroom.
Ms MacVicar said: “The accused then pushed the complainer to the body resulting in him falling onto the bed and she asked the complainer whether he ‘wanted sex’, which left him shocked and confused.
“He immediately asked the accused to leave, at which point the accused reached into the complainer’s pocket without warning and removed his wallet containing approximately £20 in cash before running from the locus.”
The court heard that Downie returned to the same pensioner’s flat two months later, barging in and grabbing his emergency bracelet to prevent him from alerting the police.
She then pulled out the man’s wallet from his pocket and took £30 before running off.
‘If I batter you, you will give me the money then’
Downie also turned up at another woman’s home in July last year as she waited for an ambulance to take her to the hospital.
Downie used her body weight to force her way into the home while asking for money.
When the terrified OAP refused, Downie said: “If I batter you, you will give me the money then.”
Once inside, Downie closed the door and removed the key from the inside holding it in her hand.
She followed the woman as she tried to go to the living room window to summon help – before snatching £200 from her handbag and running off.
The court heard Downie also attempted to rob another vulnerable 84-year-old man by again forcing her way into his home – injuring him in the process.
“The complainer was immediately concerned for his belongings and attempted to hide his wallet and cigarettes under his body,” Ms MacVicar said.
Victim saved by warden
“He repeatedly asked the accused to leave and the accused responded: ‘Give me money and I’ll go'”.
Thankfully, a warden called to enquire if all was okay and the man informed him that a woman was in his home and he wanted her to leave.
Upon the Downie realising that police were on their way, she stated to the man: “I’ll tell them you touched me” before running from the flat.
Downie robbed another Fraserburgh man by placing her hand in his pocket before shoving him to the ground, leaving him with a cut to his chin and elbow.
While in the dock at Aberdeen Sheriff Court, Downie pleaded guilty to four counts of assault and robbery and one single charge of assault.
She also admitted to one charge of acting in a racially aggravated manner, one charge of behaving in a threatening or abusive manner and an additional charge of theft.
‘Elements of real nastiness’
Defence agent Stuart Flowedew told the court that his client had a “significant list of previous convictions” and called for reports into her background.
Sheriff Buchanan told Mr Flowerdew that his client was facing “very serious matters indeed”.
He added: “This involves absolutely cruel behaviour towards elderly victims and there are elements of real nastiness.
“I’m concerned about the protection of the public – that has to be my main priority.”
Sheriff Buchanan deferred sentence on Downie, whose address was given as HMP Grampian, and remanded her in custody while a criminal justice social work report is carried out.
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