Care worker stole from five OAPs

Brian Hossack • Published 1 Mar 2010 14:00

A CRUEL care assistant who robbed five elderly people in seven days is facing jail.

Alice McNeil's victims included two women in their 80s and a blind 90-year-old - with cash, bankbooks and purses among the items stolen from the victim's homes.

She pleaded guilty to stealing from four women when she appeared at Greenock Sheriff Court on Friday, having already admitted posing as a good Samaritan to take money from the blind woman last month.

McNeil, 54, pictured, struck first at a flat in Belville Street, Greenock on 7 June when she stole a purse and its contents, a bank book and £150 in notes from an 82-year-old woman. Just a day later, the care assistant stole a quantity of belongings from a 76-year-old's home in Cartsdyke Court, Greenock, before striking again at a neighbour of the OAP's the following day. This time McNeil stole two purses belonging to the 67-year-old and £36 in cash.

On 13 June, the thief targeted an 87-year-old woman as she shopped at Marks and Spencer in Greenock's Oak Mall, this time making off with a purse and £100.

The court had previously heard how McNeil robbed a 90-year-old blind woman after offering to help her as she got off a bus in West Stewart Street on 5 December.

After offering to walk the lost woman to a nearby shop, devious McNeil dipped into her handbag and took the victim's purse and £33 in cash. Police were called and CCTV camera footage of the street checked, which allowed officers to snare McNeil.

The court heard she later lost the money gambling on fruit machines.

Defence solicitor Bob Mitchell said: "Reports have already been called for on Ms McNeil. I would ask for all matters to be continued until these are prepared."

Mr Mitchell's colleague, solicitor Ellen Macdonald, had previously told how McNeil enjoyed a full employment history working as a care assistant, adding there were no underlying drug or drink problems behind her offending.

Deferring sentence until next month, Sheriff John Herald said: "Mark this case for my attention."

McNeil, of Bawhirley Road, Greenock, will appear again then.

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