A prolific criminal who grappled with an elderly woman and stole her wedding ring after breaking into her house has been put behind bars for six months.
Nathan Taylor, 31, stole his vulnerable victim's ring before wrestling with her and her friend, as they tried to stop him making his getaway.
The brazen thief, who has a long list of previous convictions and was on bail at the time, broke into the woman's home while she was in the garden.
Taylor, of Kestrel Way, in Perth, Scotland, admitted stealing a jewellery box, jewellery, a purse and its contents from a home in Florence Place, Perth, on April 26.
Fiscal depute Joanne Ritchie told the court: "This was theft from an elderly woman's address.
“During the day the door was unlocked and he gained access while she was in the garden.
"It transpired that she tried to get back in and found the door locked. Herself and a neighbour saw a shadow in the property.
“The accused goes to exit and states he was 'looking for Willie.'"
However, the pair noticed he had a jewellery box protruding from his pocket and challenged him about it.
At this point, he refused to empty his pockets and tried to leave.
"They tried to stop him leaving but he broke free and ran off down the street,” Ms Ritchie said.
“He dropped a pair of earrings. The lady identified a number of items that were missing.
"There was a gold wedding band, a purse containing approximately £150, and another gold ring.
“The total value was £455 and only the £40 earrings were recovered."
She told the court that Taylor was apprehended at Ninewells Hospital in Dundee a short time later.
He was subsequently arrested and held in custody.
Solicitor David Holmes, defending, said: "He does not remember what he was doing.
“He has a difficulty with drugs. He is apologetic for what has taken place.
"He is realistic about where he is likely to end up. There will be adverse publicity about this and that will not go down well if he is returned to custody."
Sheriff More said: "It is not the value of the items he stole, as such, but the general scene of it all. These two people tried to stop him.
"That's the most disconcerting aspect of it and the real aggravating feature to the case.
“I appreciate it to you it might just be a theft, but the wider circumstances provoke revulsion, whether that's in prison or in the community."
