Care assistant jailed after robbing neighbour

Dec 11 2009 Ayrshire Post (main ed)

A CARE assistant who robbed his elderly neighbour’s home while she was in hospital has been jailed.

Gambling addict Scott Montgomery stole more than £6000 from the 90-year-old lady, who trusted him with the keys to her home.

After she was taken to hospital by ambulance, callous Montgomery took his chance to calmly raid her home.

He found her life savings, £6300, and blew it within weeks.

When she came home, he continued his deception by telling her he’d only taken £500 to fund his habit.

The lady told her family what had happened and the true extent of his theft was uncovered.

Montgomery, 43, who worked at a care home in Largs, 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 the court: “He realised at the outset that this was a despicable crime and he faces jail.”

Montgomery was convicted of theft at Kilmarnock Sheriff Court in 1993. He was sentenced to probation.

Then in 1993, he was again convicted of theft and was ordered to carry out community service.

Mr Lockhart added: “In the circumstances, my client realises he’ll not be as fortunate this time.

“There is little prospect of the money being repaid since he has £13,000 worth of gambling debts.

“He is employed as a care assistant as a nursing home. If anyone should know about the vulnerability of elderly people it should be this gentleman.”

Jailing Montgomery, also of Troon’s Barassie Street, Sheriff Miller said: “Those who pray on the elderly are the lowest of the low.

“I would have sentenced you to 300 days but the law states that I have to reduce it to 200 days.”