A blind man has said he “wished they would throw away the key” after a thug was jailed for attacking him and stealing jelly babies.
Chris Ryan had just returned from a trip to the shop to buy some items for his hospitalised flatmate including sweets and a newspaper when he heard a knock on the door.
When he opened it, Graham Gribble asked if he could use his bathroom.
When he refused Gribble insulted him and tried to barge his way in, before stealing his shopping from home.
But despite making off with the items, the 43-year-old was traced to an address at Oldcroft Place where officers discovered the jelly babies.
Gribble confessed to assault and robbery on July 28 this year when he appeared at Aberdeen Sheriff Court yesterday.
Defence agent Colin Neilson told the court there had not yet been a victim impact statement from Mr Ryan because it required to be written in braille.
Representing Gribble, defence agent David Sutherland said his client had no recollection of the incident but was “disgusted” with his behaviour towards a “vulnerable and elderly gentleman.”
Mr Sutherland said Gribble had a drug problem but went through periods where he managed to stay out of trouble.
Sheriff William Summers said: “This was a particularly heartless crime committed against a vulnerable member of the community.
“I have to recognise that he violence involved was limited.
“I also need to recognise that it was committed in an opportunistic way.
“There is no alternative to a custodial sentence.”
He jailed Gribble, of HMP Grampian, for 16 months.
Speaking following the outcome, Mr Ryan revealed he had been living in fear since the attack.
He said: “I wish they would throw away the key and never let him out.
“I keep worrying when I go to the shop in case there is anyone like him.”
Mr Ryan also revealed he had been mugged in a separate incident last year.
His housemate, Paul Shurmer, described the incident by Gribble as “disgusting” but paid tribute to the loyalty of his friend.
He said: “Chris went out after and bought everything again and came out to me that morning.”
Mr Ryan said he took a taxi for that journey because he was so scared.
The pair are now looking to move to a different area of the city.
