Woman avoids jail after attack and robbery of a vulnerable man in Perth

A woman who attacked and robbed a vulnerable man in Perth city centre has narrowly avoided jail time.Mharie McRitchie and co-accused Duane Haney set upon their victim, who has epilepsy, in St John's Street on January 22 2022.McRitchie robbed the man of his phone and Haney stamped on his head.The pair were convicted of assault and robbery following trial at Perth Sheriff Court in March.Proceedings were held up when they both absconded midway through.In April, Haney, of Hawick, was ordered to carry out 250 hours unpaid work and placed on a four-month restriction of liberty order.McRitchie, 33, returned to the dock for sentencing and her solicitor Linda Clark acknowledged a pre-sentencing report is "lukewarm," in that it wasn't negative but not entirely positive either.She said McRitchie spent 29 days on remand in relation to the case but had also been in custody for a significantly longer time in connection with a separate matter."When she was released last week, I wasn't sure if we would see her in court today and if she was here, I didn't know if she would be sober."But she is here and she is sober

These are baby steps that are being taken."Sheriff Jennifer Bain KC told McRitchie: "It is with great reluctance I am going to impose a community payback order."It does seem to me that there is an alternative to custody available."McRitchie, of Scone, was placed on supervision for two years

She was ordered to stay home between 7pm and 7am each night as part of eight month restriction of liberty curfew.McRitchie was warned the sentence is a direct alternative to prison