iStockA serial criminal who helped carry out a late-night raid at the home of a pensioner has been jailed for more than five years.
Anthony Hogan and four masked accomplices targeted the house of 80-year-old Marion Campbell in Dunfermline, Fife on February 22 2019.
The pensioner, who lived alone, managed to dial 999 as the robbers ransacked the property bagging a haul of jewellery.
The gang fled, but DNA helped link Hogan to the crime.
On Tuesday, Hogan was sentenced to five years and two months in jail.
The 39 year-old was finally brought to justice having gone AWOL for two previous court dates.
He had pled guilty last month to a charge of assault and robbery.
The High Court in Glasgow heard how the gang had initially tried to get into the house via a Velux window on the roof around midnight.
They eventually forced in a back door and one of the mob grabbed Ms Campbell, who was at the bottom of her stairs.
Prosecutor Bill McVicar said: “She was told to remain in the kitchen. She was then repeatedly asked where the money was.
“She repeatedly told them there was nothing.”
The gang eventually got into a large steel chest which contained jewellery.
The victim was soon alone in the hall and took the chance to grab her phone for help.
Mr McVicar said: “She contacted 999…she was able to report the incident and spoke to an operator for a prolonged period of time.
“The woman was clearly distressed and male voices can be heard in the background.
“One of the assailants attempted to get the phone from Ms Campbell, who continued to relay events.”
The raiders fled the scene before police arrived. Officers found the house ransacked and damaged.
Items stolen included gold necklaces, rings and brooches.
Hogan was held in June 2019 after DNA, mobile phone and CCTV evidence pinned him to the robbery.
After being charged, he was due to appear for a high court hearing on July 15 last year, but a warrant was granted when he failed to show.
He was then traced on September 22 last year, however, again freed on bail on November 12.
Hogan should have gone on trial on September 7 this year, but once more did not appear in the dock.
He answered the latest warrant on September 27 before this time being remanded in jail.
It emerged he has already served a string of jail terms including for importing drugs, crimes of dishonesty and possession of a knife.
Lord Armstrong cut the sentence from seven years due to the guilty plea and time Hogan had already spent in custody.
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