A DEAF and disabled Dundee pensioner has been targeted by a thief who followed her home on the bus and then forced her way into her house.
The 68-year-old, who lives in sheltered housing run by Sanctuary Scotland in Ardler had about £200 taken from her before she was able to force the woman out of the door.
However, the grandmother says she’s now too scared to open her front door to anyone or get on a bus.
Police are investigating the theft.
The OAP told the Tele: “I’m really terrified — it was a horrific experience and I’m prepared to talk about it because I don’t want this to happen to anyone else.
“Afterwards I was taken to hospital where they said I had suffered a small stroke.
“I couldn’t even hold a cup of tea in my hands.”
She said she had been in town on March 11 paying a bill. “I got on the bus to come home and I now know that a woman got on the bus at the same time as I did,” she said.
“When I got off the bus the woman did too and as I unlocked my door she followed me in.
“But because I am so deaf I didn’t realise she had come into my house.
“When I came into the sitting room, the woman was in my handbag, rifling through my purse.
“I asked her what she was doing and shoved her. She shoved me back but I wouldn’t give up and continued to shove her until I got her out the door.”
The pensioner said it was only then that it dawned on her what had happened. She called police and paramedics were also sent to help her.
In a second incident at the same complex, an elderly man was approached by someone early in the morning, claiming to be there to help someone move
house.
A warning has now been sent around different sheltered housing complexes in Dundee by the city council.
Ann Sutherland, Sanctuary Scotland’s housing manager for Dundee, said: “We are deeply saddened and sympathise with the victim of this very rare crime.
“The police and council were notified immediately after the incident, with staff reminding tenants to be vigilant.
“Community safety wardens have been invited to the complex to warn tenants of potential risks.
“Local housing associations with elderly or vulnerable tenants have also been alerted.”