PERTH OFFENDER SENTENCED FOR PENSIONER HOME INVASION
A man named James Hume has been sentenced for a serious intrusion into the home of a 92-year-old woman in Perth.Hume, who has a prior conviction for attacking a pensioner with a hammer, was under the influence of drugs when he falsely claimed to be a workman checking on a neighbor’s roof, gaining entry into the elderly woman's house.
Once inside, he stole her pension book and bank card.
He later returned to the woman's home, where he told her he was not there to harm her but to take her money.
He stole her purse, which contained her replacement bank card.
Hume pleaded guilty to thefts from the same victim on August 30 and September 9 of the previous year.
During sentencing, solicitor Pauline Cullerton explained that Hume was in a state of disorientation due to drug misuse, which had previously been under control but worsened after his medication was discontinued.
She noted that Hume had been engaging well with social services and had established a structured routine but relapsed after missing an appointment, leading him to purchase street Valium.
The sheriff condemned his actions as a terrifying invasion that caused significant trauma.
Sheriff William Wood sentenced Hume to 24 months in prison, with an additional year of supervision upon release.
Hume is also ordered to stay away from his victim for ten years, with a warning of consequences if this order is breached.
The court highlighted Hume's history of similar offenses, including previous convictions for theft of bank cards and attacking a pensioner with a hammer, as well as recent imprisonment for involvement in a razor slashing incident.
The sheriff emphasized that drug use was no excuse, given that Hume was responsible for missing his medication and relapsing into drug use.
The judge concluded only a custodial sentence was appropriate, and Hume will serve his sentence in custody.
