‘Despicable’ thief took to crime because her job was too hard
A YOUNG ‘professional thief’ and her accomplice stole cash and mobile phones by distracting shoppers and claiming they were raising money for charity.
Maria Spirache, 20, played her part in the ‘despicable’ offences committed with another woman over 10 days in Manchester city centre.
The court was told how Spirache earlier ‘had a job but it was too hard so gave it up.’
The pair prowled cafes, restaurants and shops fleecing customers. They preyed on vulnerable victims, including a man on a mobility scooter shopping, and tried to steal a watch from the wrist of an 88-year-old woman.
Another victim was a student who was depositing nearly £9,000 in a bank, after saving up the money for months by working two part-time jobs to fund his university education.
The pair used well-rehearsed tactics to distract their prey, including showing clipboards claiming they were from a charity and blocking the view of people trying to withdraw money from ATMs.
Spirache’s defence team said the other woman played ‘a lead role’ in the crimes.
Judge Hilary Manley told Spirache: “These thefts were planned, organised and despicable offences.
“Together, the two of you preyed upon members of the public who were simply enjoying a meal or a cup of coffee, or who were otherwise going about their business.
“You used practised distraction techniques in cafes, food outlets, supermarkets, banks and cashpoints.” Talking about the student, the judge added: “He worked hard for that money. It’s in stark contrast to what you told the author of the pre-sentence report, that you had a job but it was too hard so you gave it up.”
Spirache pleaded guilty to nine counts of theft, two counts of attempted theft, one count of theft from a shop and another bail act offence. She was convicted in her absence of another count of theft.
Spirache, of Abbey Hills Road, Oldham, was sentenced at Manchester Crown Court to 32 months in a young offenders institution.
The other woman has not been caught. Rachel Faux, defending Spirache, said the other woman played the ‘lead role’ in the thefts. She said that the time she has spent on remand at HMP Styal has had a ‘deterrent effect.’
Judge Manley added: “This was mean and cynical offending, carried out with no regards for the feelings of others.
“You systematically went from victim to victim to amass as much cash as possible. This was professional thieving,” said the judge.