Sick thief targeted pensioners for cash

Published 23 Jun 2010 16:13 0 Comments

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By Rosalyn Campbell

A PLUCKY pensioner outwitted a sick thief who tried to steal from her in Johnstone.

Ion Fransisco Pasare, 31, targeted pensioners in the town's Houston Square pretending to need change of a pound.

But when the women responded by opening their purses the callous pickpocket tried to distract them and steal their bank notes.

One 74-year-old lady was smarter than Pasare when he first struck on May 18.

He held a map over her purse to hide his actions when nicking two £10 notes from it.

But the heroic pensioner snatched the money back from the thief - who walked away in defeat.

She then raised the alarm and called police.

Paisley Sheriff Court heard how moments later, heartless Pasare approached a second woman, aged 79 - and asked her if she had change for a pound.

As she fumbled in her purse for the right change, he appeared to help her check the purse - and tried to distract her with conversation.

When he placed his hand over her purse and quickly removed it, the pensioner became suspicious.

Fearing he was up to no good, she told him she could not provide any change and walked off.

Minutes later she discovered that £15 was missing from her purse and reported what had happened to police.

CCTV images were viewed and when Pasare was seen approaching Morrison's superstore in the town, officers went to intercept him.

When Pasare ran off to a waiting car which was driven away, police lay in wait at a 'give way' sign and as the vehicle approached, they were able to stop it and arrest him.

When Pasare, of Kemp Street, Hamilton, appeared in the dock from custody, it was revealed that he had only recently been sentenced to four months' imprisonment at Dumbarton Sheriff Court for similar offences.

He pleaded guilty to attempting to steal £20 during one incident in Houston Square, Johnstone, on May 18 and admitted stealing £15 from his second victim, also at that location on the same date.

A defence agent said his client admitted these were 'particularly mean and distasteful crimes' and said he was ashamed of his actions.

Sheriff Neil Douglas jailed him for a further four months, to run from the completion of his present period of imprisonment.

This article appeared in The Gazette 23 Jun 10

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