A SALTCOATS man who was the victim of an alleged robbery only metres from his home says the "thieves have stolen his life".

Robbie Smith, 54, says he was making his way home from a night in Saltcoats when the alleged incident took place during the early hours of Sunday, March 3.

Robbie told the Herald he'd organised the evening out with a friend in an effort to take their minds off a number of losses they'd experienced in recent months.

The 54-year-old, who suffers from Parkinson's disease and has previously had a stroke, said the incident happened in a lane behind the Farmfoods store leading to the back door of his home.

He described falling to the ground only a few yards from the gate and said he was unable to get back up.

After a few minutes, still soaked and freezing on the ground, he phoned for an ambulance.

But he said that as he lay on the pavement, he felt what he thought was someone standing on his ankle. 

Robbie contacted the ambulance service for a second time, saying he was now becoming scared.

He told the Herald that when an ambulance crew arrived, he heard someone shouting "leave him".

 

Paramedics took Robbie into his home after calling police on his behalf.

The Saltcoats man says he noticed his bank card, phone and wallet were all missing from his person.

The 54-year-old claims the bank card has been used twice since - the same night it was allegedly taken - with the whole incident leaving him in a horrible position.

He told the Herald: "I previously only used front door maybe once a week, but I have been using it pretty much all the time now - at night at least.

“I have not had a chance to do anything because all I can do is look over my left and right shoulder.

“I feel like I have been robbed of my life.”

Robbie also says he's glad the alleged robbers did not steal his phone, or the tablets he has to take each day.

He commented: “If they did kick my phone right away I would have been lying there until the morning – that’s the terrifying thing.”

Since the incident, with direct debits coming out his account, Robbie - who is unable to take out a crisis loan - says he has been left with little over £8 to last him until next week.

But he thanked the emergency services for coming to his aid - as well as the community who offered their support after John Auld shared his story on social media.

Robbie said: "The amount of folk that have messaged has been amazing - all I can do is thank him for what he has done for me."

Police Scotland say enquiries into the incident are ongoing.

A force spokesperson said: "Around 2.45am on Sunday, March 3, 2024 we received a report of a theft from a man who had fallen in the Braes Road area of Saltcoats.

"Enquiries are continuing and anyone with information should contact 101 quoting reference number 0494 of March 3."