AN ALEXANDRIA woman is still too terrified to stay in her home more than three months after it was burgled, a court has been told.

The victim’s property was targeted by Lynn McNicol and Ashley Mundie on June 29.

The pair stole clothes, footwear, purses, a handbag, perfume and toys - much of which was brought home from holiday by the householder only a few hours before the break-in.

McNicol and Mundie appeared at Dumbarton Sheriff Court for sentencing on October 1 after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing to a charge of theft by housebreaking.

Mundie, 30, was sent to jail for the crime - but because of her less significant criminal record, and the impact a custodial sentence would have had on others, 34-year-old McNicol was spared prison.

Kevin Doherty, prosecuting, told the court a neighbour had alerted the victim after hearing a female voice shouting “[Victim’s name], come to the f*****g door” and seeing the pair entering the block of flats in Craig Avenue.

Police investigating a separate report of suspected drink-driving in the area saw the accused exiting the flats carrying clothes, shoes and bags and putting the items in a vehicle.

Mr Doherty said: “The accused McNicol said she had gained entry to the property by kicking the door in, and asserted that she had taken the items because [the victim] owed her £900.

“The stolen items included baseball caps, shoes, unworn clothing, purses, toys and handbags.

“[The victim] said most of her holiday clothes, and numerous personal items, had been taken, with an estimated value of £500.

“The items were later returned.

“[The victim] has told police she has not returned to the property because she is too scared.

“There was damage to the door consistent with it having been kicked in, but there was no evidence of damage within the property.”

McNicol’s solicitor, Lauren Kerr, said her client, a domestic worker with the NHS, had a “very limited” criminal record.

“She was friends with [the victim],” Ms Kerr said, “but there has been a history of difficulties for some time. Her position is that there was money that had been owed for some period of time.”

Scott Adair, defending Mundie, told Sheriff William Gallacher his client knew she faced a prison sentence because of her more serious record of offending.

Mr Adair said: “She remembers taking ‘street Valium’ on the day in question but has very little recollection of other matters, other than being with Ms McNicol earlier in the day.

“She understands you will be imposing a custodial sentence.”

Sheriff Gallacher told McNicol: “The notion that someone now has such anxiety that they can’t go back to their house because of what you did is horrifying.

“It was in my mind to send you to prison; however, there is an alternative available.”

The sheriff told Mundie: “Your position is a different one, because of your past offending.

McNicol, of Whiteford Avenue in Dumbarton, was handed a community payback order with 18 months’ social work supervision, and was told to do 250 hours of unpaid work within eight months.

Mundie, described in court papers as an inmate at Polmont prison, was jailed for 19 months, backdated to July 1 when she was first taken into custody.