[A] THUG has been locked up for seven years after a Carlisle pensioner was violently robbed inside her own home.
Terrified victim Pamela Carruthers was grabbed by the throat and had £100 snatched from her handbag as two criminals burst into her Ashness Drive flat last November.
The 73-year-old was left traumatised and later moved out of a property in which she had lived for a quarter of a century.
She later told police: “It has caused me great distress that I couldn’t fight back or do anything because of my age and health.”
At Carlisle Crown Court today (TUES), Thomas William Kirkpatrick pleaded guilty to robbery and was jailed by Recorder Michael Murray.
Kirkpatrick, 28, carried out the raid with an unidentified accomplice, although it was suggested the pair – who asked the victim “where’s your stash?” – had called at the wrong address.
Sentencing Kirkpatrick, of Shadygrove Road, Carlisle, Recorder Murray told him: “It was a cowardly and wicked thing that you did, and there have been lasting consequences for Mrs Carruthers.”
Detective Constable David Hetherington, North Cumbria CID, said: “This was a clearly a very distressing ordeal for the victim where a man, almost 50 years younger than her, has threatened her for money.
“He caused the victim a significant amount of fear and distress within her own home. He is clearly very dangerous given the lengths that he will go to in order to acquire money.
“He very much deserves his prison sentence.
“I’d like to thank the victim for her cooperation and bravery throughout the investigation. I hope that this can bring some form of closure.
“I’d also like to thank the local members of the community that assisted us with our enquiries.”
