Man who robbed widow (87) in her own home is caught using DNA evidence

Oct 13 2011 by Chris Clements, Hamilton Advertiser

A MAN who robbed an 87-year-old widow in her own home last year was snared by DNA evidence.

Forensic experts linked samples found on the elderly woman’s cardigan to convicted thief Scott Milne.

The 39-year-old was already serving a hefty sentence for assault and robbery when police made a connection between him and the crime earlier this year.

Milne, whose address was given as Barlinnie Prison in Glasgow, attacked and robbed the pensioner in her Uddingston home last March.

However, when police officers questioned the convict as a suspect, he denied any involvement, claiming that the perpetrator had been wearing his gloves.

However, at Hamilton Sheriff Court last week, he pleaded guilty to assaulting and robbing 87-year-old Susan Loughran at her New Edinburgh Road house on March 13, 2010.

He repeatedly requested money from her, seized her by the body, pulled her and robbed her of £105 in cash.

The court heard that Milne has 130 previous convictions for offences including housebreaking, theft and robbery, dating back to 1988.

Fiscal depute Vincent Lunny told the court that the Uddingston robbery occurred at around 11am when Milne went to Mrs Loughran’s door.

The frail OAP, who was alone in the house, answered and Milne lied by telling her that he was doing work on the house next door. He asked her for the use of a plastic box but Mrs Loughran said she didn’t have any. Milne then asked for a plastic bag and when the pensioner turned to get one, Milne entered her house, shutting the door behind him.

“He repeatedly demanded money from the complainer, who was terrified at this point,” said the fiscal depute.

“The complainer went to get her purse from her bag,” he said. “The accused then snatched the purse from her hand.”

When only £5 was found in the purse, Milne was unhappy and demanded more money.

He grabbed Mrs Loughran by the arm and shoulder of her cardigan and pulled her into the living room, repeatedly asking her for more cash.

Mrs Loughran eventually handed him £100 that had been rolled up separately in her bag and he made off.

Police and an ambulance later attended but Mrs Loughran was uninjured, although but shaken.

Mr Lunny explained that Milne wasn’t traced until this year, when DNA from the widow’s cardigan was found to match that of Milne.

At the time, he was in Barlinnie serving a 45-month sentence for a similar offence committed in Glasgow’s east end.

Milne initially denied involvement and claimed the robber may have used his gloves but police later confirmed with Mrs Loughran that her assailant was in fact bare-handed.

Appearing from custody last Monday, Milne pleaded guilty to the charge.

Sheriff Marie Smart expressed her revulsion and branded the accused’s actions as “disgusting”. She said that Milne had taken advantage of a member of a more trusting generation.

Sheriff Smart sentenced Milne to 42 months’ imprisonment, to be served upon the completion of his current three-year sentence for an offence in Glasgow.