Cruel neighbour robs old woman of £6000.

Nov 13 2009 by Lisa Boyle, Ayrshire Post (main ed)

A CALLOUS conman robbed his elderly neighbour’s home while she was in hospital.

Gambling addict Scott Montgomery stole more than £6000 from the lady, who is in her 90s.

The trusting woman had left her keys with Montgomery as she was rushed to hospital in an ambulance.

The cruel thief took the chance to calmly raid her house.

Vile Montgomery already has previous convictions for fraud and theft.

At Ayr Sheriff Court this week, the 43-year-old pleaded guilty to his latest sickening crime.

He admitted that between July 8 and August 31 this year, at a flat in Troon’s Barassie Street, he stole £6300.

Defence lawyer Peter Lockhart told Sheriff Colin Miller that the accused accepted he’d stolen the money to fund his severe gambling habit.

Mr Lockhart added that Montgomery has paid back £500 so far.

Sheriff Miller deferred sentence on Montgomery, also of Barassie Street in Troon, for background reports.

But he warned: “This is a very serious matter.

“Jail will be upper most in my mind, especially given your previous convictions for dishonesty.”

Montgomery will be back in court next month.