A 93-year-old grandmother from Edinburgh has been left devastated after heartless thieves stole her Christmas presents following a calculated doorstep deception.
Deceptive Duo's Callous Scheme
Julia Kelly was at her home on Drummond Street, Edinburgh, on Sunday, 30 November 2025, when a man and a woman knocked on her door. The pair attempted to sell the pensioner an item, but when she refused, the woman asked to use Julia's toilet.
This request granted the male accomplice the chance to sneak inside and steal from the vulnerable woman. The thieves made off with Julia's purse, containing £100 in cash, her bank cards, and a driving licence she used for identification.
Christmas Spirit Stolen
Most cruelly, the burglars also snatched wrapped Christmas gifts that were waiting on Julia's sofa, ready for her family. The stolen presents included a box of Clinique products and a diamante necklace intended for her granddaughter, Safia.
"She literally just got back from the shop that day," Safia told Edinburgh Live. "My granny likes being prepared for Christmas, so she already had most of her gifts sorted. They took the majority of them. She's back to square one."
Safia added that the stolen purse held sentimental value, as it was a gift from Julia's sister several years ago.
Family Rallies and Police Hunt
Julia managed to provide a description of the suspects to Police Scotland. She described both as having grey hair and being around five foot three in height. The woman was wearing a red puffer jacket and blue jeans, while the man had on a brown jacket with black and grey jogging bottoms.
A police spokesperson confirmed: "Around 11.50am on Tuesday, 2 December, 2025, we received a report of a theft from a property on Drummond Street, Edinburgh on Sunday, 30 November, 2025. Inquiries are at an early stage and ongoing."
In the wake of the traumatic event, Julia's family is providing support. "My gran is really resilient," Safia said. "I have a feeling she is shook inside though." Her uncle took her to the police station and for a meal to help distract her from the violation.
Safia praised her grandmother's strength but condemned the crime: "She's like superpower, she's got so much energy in her. No one deserves this especially at Christmas time."
