A dangerous drug addict who attacked and robbed a “vulnerable” woman of her handbag at a Paisley railway station has been jailed for more than two years.
Brute Stephen Wallace was convicted by a jury last month of the sickening, early-morning attack on September 7, 2019.
He partially covered this face and seized hold of the 60-year-old woman’s handbag as she waited for a train at St James’ station.
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The incident was captured on CCTV, which was played for the jury and shows Wallace - who made off with the bag and its contents - attack the lady as she stood on the platform.
The 48-year-old thug grabbed the handbag with such force that it caused the lady to fall to the ground, where he then struggled with her trying to seize it from her grip.
While the woman lay terrified on the ground, the thug repeatedly kicked her - causing injury - demanded her purse and made threats of violence.
Earlier today at Paisley Sheriff Court, Sheriff Brian Mohan labelled Wallace’s actions as a “nasty attack on a random individual.”
Sheriff Mohan jailed the bully for two years, stating: “It is simply unrealistic to think that anything but a custodial sentence is appropriate here.”
Defence solicitor Tony Bolland told the court that this was a “very serious unprovoked attack on a member of the public that will have long-standing effects, both mentally and physically.”
Mr Bolland explained that in 2019 Wallace was struggling with drug misuse, saying: “At this time, he was struggling with alcohol and street Valium.
“He has no recollection of that day due to the street Valium.
“This was an opportune moment of madness and in this moment of madness he thinks he can get away with this woman’s handbag.
“He accepts his behaviour is unjustifiable.
“Clearly, drugs did play a material factor in his actions that day.
“He is remorseful and he recognises how unsavoury this offence was for this lady and he wishes to apologise to her.”
The court also heard how Wallace, of Darkwood Drive in the town, breached a bail condition on February 9, 2021.
On August 27, 2020 at the town’s court, Wallace was granted bail with a condition he remains within his home from 7pm to 7am each day and present himself at the door when cops attend at his property.
But on February 9, 2021, when cops attended at his home at 9pm, he failed to answer – with his excuse being he was “in the house but under the influence of alcohol.”
Sentencing, Sheriff Brian Mohan said: “It’s quite clear your adult life has been overtaken by drug misuse and you’ve been the primary victim.
“At 9am in the morning you went onto the station platform.
“This lady was waiting on a train, you didn’t know her, had no reason to know she would be there and you robbed her of her handbag and its contents and then you swore at her while she lay there terrified.
“This was a nasty attack on a random individual and you could tell she was vulnerable and that’s why you attacked her.”
Sheriff Mohan added: “You also plead guilty to a breach of bail and the excuse you give is pathetic.
“You took this case to trial despite seeing yourself in video evidence.
“You have taken no responsibility for this, you didn’t turn up for your trial with the jury waiting and I had to grant a warrant and that’s why you were remanded.”
Sheriff Mohan jailed Wallace for a total of two years and two months backdating this to his date of remand on August 23.
In addition, he was made subject to a supervised release order for 12months upon his liberation with Sheriff Mohan stating this was due to the “risk to the public” and to offer “direction and support.”
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