Addict took pensioner’s credit card, Inverness Sheriff Court hears
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A DRUG addict who befriended a pensioner stole his credit card and withdrew more than £400 to pay her debts to dealers.
Inverness Sheriff Court heard that mother-of-two Marsali Jack (36), described as an HMP Grampian prisoner, had known the man for around 10 years.
The 66-year-old had been trying to help Jack beat her drug addiction and during lockdown she went to his Balnacraig Road property on April 18 to 19.
However her travel there was in breach of Covid regulations preventing unnecessary journeys and, when she left in the early hours, she was also in breach of a bail curfew.
Fiscal depute Robert Weir told Sheriff Margaret Neilson that Jack took the man’s credit card and used it at various ATMs over the next few days.
She withdrew £440 and spent £105.90 at a shop.
She admitted seven charges of theft and breaches of bail and lockdown regulations.
She also pleaded guilty to assaulting another friend at a house in Madras Street, Inverness, on July 14, by punching him on the face and knocking him to the ground. She claimed he owed her money.
Jack was jailed for 18 months backdated to July 20.
Solicitor Marc Dickson said his client had a lengthy drug addiction.
“When she was remanded to Grampian, she weighed only four-and-a-half stone,” he said. “She has now almost doubled to eight-and-a-half stone and drastically reduced her methadone dose.
“During the lockdown, her dealers put her under considerable pressure to repay her debts. She succumbed to temptation and used the card over a few days. She accepts it was a dreadful way to behave towards her friend.”
Jailing Jack, Sheriff Neilson told her: “I hope you continue to accept the help you are getting while in custody. You look like a different person than who we normally see. Nothing would make me happier than if I don’t see you in this court again.”
