A man has been locked up for 18 months after he admitted to holding a screwdriver to a beggar’s neck and stealing his money.
Alistair McMenemy claimed he had been starving having struggled following his release from a prison sentence served in HMP Grampian.
Aberdeen Sheriff Court heard the 38-year-old had been at large for just weeks when, on November 19 last year, he spotted Richard Anderson begging in the city centre.
Mr Anderson was at the junction of Belmont and Union Street when McMenemy approached.
He had the screwdriver placed against his neck as the accused stole his cup, used to collect donations from the public.
The court was told it had contained between £25 and £30 when McMenemy made-off with it.
As his client appeared for sentencing yesterday, Defence agent Graeme Murray told the court McMenemy had been low on money and was “desperate for something to eat”.
He claimed his client had not eaten food for a number of days.
The agent added: “His position was that he was desperate. He regrets what he did that day.”
Sentencing McMenemy to 18 months behind bars, Sheriff Phillip Mann said: “For a man with your record this offence was very serious indeed.
“This was an offence that would have caused a considerable amount of fear and stress.
“The only possible disposal is a custodial sentence.”
