A partially-sighted pensioner was robbed and locked in her home by a woman who regarded her as an aunt.
The 82-year-old victim described her ordeal as “one of the worst things that has happened to me in my life”.
Stacey Astrauskas, 36, of Springhill Road, Shotts, was jailed for 15 months at Hamilton Sheriff Court this week.
She admitted assaulting and robbing the OAP at a house in McGregor Street, Wishaw, on April 17 last year.
Astrauskas, who claimed to be “wiped out” by drugs at the time, made off with £100 and a key.
Jennifer McCabe, prosecuting, said the pensioner heard knocking on her front door and a window about 9.30pm.
Ms McCabe told the court: “She asked who was there, but there was no answer and she opened the door.
“She saw a figure in dark clothing with hood up and face covered.
“A struggle ensued and the elderly woman fell. She was then grabbed by the dressing gown, dragged to her bedroom and thrown on to the bed.
“The intruder shouted ‘I’m in a bad place and need money’ and the woman recognised the voice.
“She screamed, hoping the neighbours would hear her, and Astrauskas placed her hand over her mouth to keep her quiet.
“The woman pulled down the covering from her face and recognised the accused who then grabbed her handbag and took £100 from it.
“The woman said she would call the police and Astrauskas pulled her telephone out of the socket.
“The accused then bit the cable in an attempt to make the phone unusable, shouting ‘You better not or we’ll see what I’ll do’.
“Astrauskas then left the property, locking the door behind her and taking the key.”
Neighbours went to the house after hearing noises and the victim managed to call a friend.
When police arrived she was “upset and tearful”. Her front door had to be forced open and an emergency joiner was called out to replace the lock.
Ms McCabe added: “The woman was at first reluctant to give an account of what had happened as she was fearful the accused would return and there would be repercussions.
“She stated this was one of the worst things that had happened in her lifetime and she did not feel safe in her home.”
Astrauskas’s DNA was found on the victim’s dressing gown and phone cable.
The victim lived in the same street as the accused’s mum. Astrauskas had known her for about 25 years.
Astrauskas told police officers: “She was like an auntie to me, a nice old woman.”
She claimed she had gone to the house to borrow money and denied robbery, but admitted she’d consumed methadone and street Valium beforehand.
She added: “That wiped me out and I can’t remember anything.
“The woman wouldn’t lie. She must be telling the truth.
“I’m so, so, so sorry.”
Defence agent Ian Scott said Astrauskas had accepted “full responsibility”.
He added: “She doesn’t have a bad record and is motivated to change.”
Sheriff Andrew McIntyre said Astrauskas had put a “vulnerable” elderly woman through a “very unpleasant” experience.
He told her: “It would be quite wrong not to mark this with a prison sentence.”
The sheriff also imposed a five-year non-harassment order.