Holocaust survivor was robbed
A SURVIVOR of the holocaust who made his home in Inverness and ran a business as a car salesman in the city was robbed of his wallet and £400, Inverness Sheriff Court heard.
George Lindsay, described as a prisoner at Inverness, was jailed for stealing the wallet and money from Jozef Morris at his home in Midmills Road on June 3.
Lindsay (38) admitted the theft fronm Mr Morris who Sheriff Margaret Neilson was told suffers from dementia and was a well known second car dealer.
Lindsay claimed he was owed money by Mr Morris and had gone to the house with another man.
Procurator Fiscal Sharon Ralph told the court Mr Morris was apparently well known in Inverness. She said he was Jewish and escaped during the holocaust.
"He has lived in Inverness and has been dealing in cars. He suffered from dementia but continued to deal in second hand cars and he is described as very vulnerable because of his confused state."
She told the court Mr Morris had been driven to town to collect his pension by his daughter and around 3pm in the afternoon the men attended his home.
She said neighbours witnessed a commotion and two people were seen coming out of the house, one fitting the description of Lindsay.
The fiscal said two men left Mr Morris’s home on June 3 and Mr Morris seemed to be agitated and upset.
"He informed neighbours that money had been taken from his house and they alerted the police. Apparently it was claimed money was owed by Mr Morris in respect of a car and suspicion fell on Lindsay."
Police investigated and found Lindsay in possession of £605.
Graham Mann solicitor for Lindsay said he had a lengthy record for dishonesty.
He said Lindsay’s position was money was owed to him by Mr Morris and he had £200 in his possession when he went to see him.
"He was not there to commit an offence and Mr Morris’s confused state may be contributory to this. The accused took matters into his own hands and took the money.
"Mr Morris was still clearly dealing in buying used cars on a fairly prolific level."
Mr Mann said Mr Morris’s family seemed to be unaware of this.
Jailing Lindsay for nine months Sheriff Margaret Neilson said he had an appalling record and had pleaded guilty to "a despicable theft from a vulnerable victim."
