Robber held knife at OAP’s throat

Dec 3 2010 by Bryan Brough, Paisley Daily Express

A FRAIL pensioner last night told how she was left terrified when an evil thug forced his way into her Paisley home and held a knife at her throat.

Othilda Berry, 84, feared for her life as the yob threatened her with the six-inch blade and stole her purse.

Great-grandmother Othilda, who has just been through a hip replacement operation, told the Paisley Daily Express: “When he held that knife to my throat, I thought he was going to stab or slash me.

“I was so scared.”

It is thought that widow Othilda was targeted by a man who also tried to con her out of money this summer by offering to do some work in her garden.

Police believe the bogus caller noted at the time that Othilda was vulnerable and returned to her home in the Lochfield area of Paisley because he viewed her as an easy target.

Her frightening ordeal began at around 10.30am on Wednesday when her doorbell rang.

Austrian-born Othilda, who worked as a maid at a castle in the north of Scotland in her younger days, said: “I was expecting a friend to call round but, when I opened the door, this man was standing there.

“He said he had done some slabbing work for me in the summer and wanted to be paid. I remember that he had talked to me in the street back then but he had done no work at all.”

The thief then forced his way inside Othilda’s home, causing her to fall backwards and suffer bruising to her back.

While she lay there dazed and in shock, the thug held a knife at her throat and told her: “Keep quiet.”

As the intruder, who was wearing dark clothing, ran upstairs in search of cash, gutsy Othilda managed to hobble outside and scream for help.

But no-one heard her cries and, as she stood trembling in the snow, the thief ran past her and fled the scene.

Othilda then went back into her flat and alerted the police.

The quietly-spoken pensioner, who turns 85 next week, discovered that the intruder had been through her belongings and stolen her purse, which had about £60 inside.

Last night, police confirmed they believe Othilda was specifically targeted and they urged other residents in the area not to be concerned.

They also asked anyone who has information about the robbery to come forward.

A spokesman said: “This was a terrible incident in which an elderly woman was targeted.

“We want to hear from anyone who saw this man in the Lochfield Road area on the day of the attack.

“Anyone who can help us is asked to ring Paisley Police Office on 0141 532 5900 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”