Inverness Drug Addict Jailed After Stealing £500 from Woman at ATM

A drug addict has been sentenced to jail at Inverness Sheriff Court after being convicted of a targeted theft in which he stole £500 from a woman using a street ATM in central Inverness.

The incident occurred on Tuesday, 16 July 2024. The court heard that the victim was withdrawing a substantial sum of cash from an automated teller machine (ATM) on High Street when the perpetrator approached her from behind. Taking advantage of the victim's momentary distraction, the man lunged forward, snatched the £500 cash directly from the machine's dispensing slot, and fled the scene on foot.

Members of the public who witnessed the theft immediately raised the alarm, and local police officers patrolling the city centre managed to locate and apprehend the suspect a short distance away. During the arrest, the stolen cash was recovered and subsequently returned to the shaken victim.

During the sentencing hearing, the defense solicitor highlighted the accused's long-standing struggle with severe substance abuse, noting that the theft was a desperate act driven by addiction. However, Sheriff Margaret Neilson emphasized the distressing nature of the crime, noting that targeting individuals at cash machines is a predatory act that severely damages public confidence and safety.

The perpetrator was sentenced to 12 months in custody, with the Sheriff noting that a custodial sentence was the only appropriate response given the offender's extensive criminal record for similar dishonest acts and breaches of bail conditions.

Local crime prevention officers have used the high-profile case to remind ATM users in Inverness to remain highly vigilant when withdrawing money, to shield their PINs, and to report any suspicious individuals loitering near cash points to police or bank staff.