An “opportunistic” Paisley man pinched an elderly lady’s purse containing six pound coins while she spoke to the priest at church.
Crook James Haggarty, 64, took the opportunity to steal a purse from the pensioner’s handbag at St Mary’s Church, Paisley, in March 2020, while she spoke briefly with the priest – before launching the empty purse into a nearby hedge.
Prosecutor John Penman told Paisley Sheriff Court: “Around 10.30am on Sunday, March 15, 2020, the complainer attended St Mary’s Church and took her handbag to the rear of the hall prior to speaking with the minister.
