A man was sentenced to life imprisonment for murdering a pensioner by attempting to enter her home as a postal worker.
Martin Stewart shoved Margaret Grant, after stealing cash from Restalrig Circus in Edinburgh and ransacking her flat on 24 January 2020.
Due to her ordeal, the OAP suffered a cardiac arrest and was pronounced dead at the hospital.
Stewart, 41, was released eight months after he had served a two year sentence for robbing an elderly woman.
After only two days on the streets, he shot Ms Grant and then attacked other pensioners in their capital homes.
Stewart pleaded guilty in November to a charge of culpable murder and returned to the High Court in Glasgow.
He was originally charged with murder.
Lady Stacey placed an Order for Lifelong Restraint on Stewart for his crimes that spanned the past 25 years.
He must spend at least four-and-a half years in prison.
The judge stated that the woman you killed was elderly and defenseless. You robbed her house by lying, attacked her, and ransacked it.
“She died in hospital after suffering a heart attack from stress from the events of the previous hours.
“This is a shameful crime, and you should be ashamed.”
Lady Stacey stated that Stewart would be released “if and only” the parole board was satisfied that he was not a danger to society.
Last year, Ms. Grant was found living alone and had to be cared for three times per week by caregivers.
Greg Farrell, the Prosecutor, stated that he convinced her to allow him in by pretending he was a postal worker with a parcel.
“Once inside, the man grabbed Margaret by her dress gown and demanded money.
She said she had PS15 in her glasses bag. He called her a fool and searched the flat.
The 41-year old kept the PS15 and PS200 Ms Grant in a charity tin.
Stewart went through the handbag of the pensioner, and then she told him that she was going for help.
Stewart grabbed her once more and threw the girl to the ground.
Ms Grant was saved by her carer, and Stewart fled. Stewart’s DNA was also left behind on a Christmas card.
Ms. Grant, who had already been diagnosed with a variety of health issues, was admitted to the hospital.
She was able to speak at first, but her condition worsened and she died in hospital that night.
According to a medical specialist, the pensioner suffered a major heart attack as a result from “acute and serious stress”.
Stewart was still at large, and he targeted five other Edinburgh properties between February 27th and February 17th before being arrested.
Ian Duguid, QC, the defense, stated that Stewart’s “persistent offenders” to finance a drug habit eventually led to Ms Grant’s suicide.
