St. John's purse-snatching victim relieved as attacker convicted

An elderly St. John's woman sat quietly in a courtroom Friday and watched as her attacker was found guilty of robbery with violence, a charge that could result ina stiff prison term.

Mary Horan, 80, had just gotten into her car at a disabled-parking space outside a Zeller's department store when she was surprised by a man in her passenger seat.

Provincial courtwas told the assailant grabbed Horan, who stands just five feet tall, by the shoulder, pushed her toward the steering wheel and told her to drive.

Eventually, the thief took her purse and ran away.

The Royal Newfoundland Constabulary later charged James Glasco.

On Friday, Glasco's defence lawyer, Brad Savoury, argued the incident was a simple theft, while Crown prosecutor Phil LeFeuvre pushed for the significantly more serious charge of robbery with violence.

Heavy penalty possible

A theft conviction carries a maximum sentence of two years, while robbery with violence can lead to a life sentence.

The judge sided with the Crown, noting that Horan is an elderly woman who is much smaller than Glasco.

Horan expressed relief after Glasco, who will return to court in two weeks for sentencing, was taken from the courtroom in handcuffs.

"I'm glad it's all over with," she said."It was a lot of stress while I was waiting for the past four months for this but I feel good about it right now [that] it's over."

The judge noted that Mary Horan showed remarkable presence of mind to have remained calm during the robbery andshe did nothing that would have worsened the situation.

Glasco's sentencing will involve convictions for other crimes.