PROLIFIC THIEF WHO TARGETS VULNERABLE AND ELDERLY PEOPLE IS JAILED
A habitual offender has been sentenced to prison for targeting elderly and vulnerable individuals in St Helens.At Liverpool Crown Court on Wednesday, April 22, Francesca Fairhurst, aged 37 and without a permanent address, was sentenced to six years after admitting to criminal charges relating to burglary and theft.
She was also ordered to stay away from her victims and certain locations in St Helens for seven years through three restraining orders.
The court detailed an incident on April 27 last year, where Fairhurst approached an elderly woman in her home in Parr, asking for £20.
The woman, who had impaired mobility and was frightened for her safety, initially handed over £10.
Fairhurst then demanded more, receiving an additional £5.
She left but returned shortly afterward, claiming she needed to use the toilet as she waited for a taxi.
During this visit, she barged inside, stole the woman’s purse, and ran away.
The theft resulted in her withdrawing £200 from the victim’s bank account.
Another case involved a vulnerable man on March 18 of the previous year.
Fairhurst, on Crab Street, engaged the man using a walking aid, then stole his wallet with £200 in cash.
She went on to use the man’s bank card to extract £380 from his account at various locations throughout St Helens town centre, but attempts to use the card at convenience stores were unsuccessful.
The following day, she visited the same victim’s address, loudly knocking and shouting to gain entry.
Following her arrest, Fairhurst faced charges of burglary and theft, leading to her conviction and sentencing.
