Bolton: Woman carried out string of thefts across town

Maria Beverage, 45, began her series of crimes by stealing a purse from the elderly woman as she was trying to enjoy a coffee at a branch of Costa on Trinity Retail Park on May 5 this year.

She distracted her victim by asking for cigarettes before taking the purse, which contained cash, cards and most significantly photographs of the elderly woman’s children when they were young.

Katy Laverty, prosecuting, said: “What mattered most was the photographs, she described them in the statement as priceless and irreplaceable.”

Ms Laverty told the court how the same day Beverage, of no fixed abode and also known as Marie Beveridge, also stole a purse containing four bank cards from the Bamboo Oriental Café, which she used to make £1000 worth of purchases.

The case was heard at Bolton Crown Court (Image: Newsquest)

More than two months later, Beverage then stole a £7 jumper from the Heart Foundation shop on Newport Street, Bolton were she was already banned.

Though the jumper was recovered, she has long been a disruptive figure at the shop according to Ms Laverty.

Beverage’s next target was a house on Rupert Street, which she burgled on July 22, again stealing a bag containing bank cards which she used to make more than £100 worth of purchases.

Though the victim was refunded, Ms Laverty detailed the impact this had had on her.

She said: “She says she felt violated that the defendant entered her house and took items which she couldn’t replace.”

Beverage, who has six previous convictions for 12 offences and appeared before the court on video link from prison, was arrested soon afterwards and eventually pleaded guilty to theft and fraud by false representation.

Martin Pizzey, defending, told the court that though her crimes appeared to be straightforward, Beverage’s personal circumstances meant that the case was ‘not so simple’ as it first appeared.

He said that Beverage’s ‘chaotic’ background included a history of mental illness and drug use, while most of her offending was driven by this.

Mr Pizzey said: “There is a theme of opportunistic behaviour, swiping the items with efficiency of someone desperate for money.”

He added: “She is positive with regards to her outlook and she is keen to make amends.”

Judge Gilbart accepted that had all played a part in driving Beverage towards crime.

Addressing the defendant, he said: “Your circumstances are in some ways sad ones given all I have read about your personal difficulties.”

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But he reminded the court of the effect her actions had had on her victims, particularly an elderly woman and another who had been stolen from in her own home and about his concerns about her prospects for rehabilitation.

Judge Gilbart said: “People should of course be able to feel safe and secure in their own homes and not have to worry that someone will violate their homes to satisfy their own ends.

He sentenced Beverage to 16 months in prison.