Police welcome jailing of 'callous' thief who targeted elderly victims

As the Star reported, Shaun Westhead was jailed for more than three years after pleading guilty to theft, handling stolen goods and fraud by false representation following incidents in St Helens.

Westhead, 35, of no fixed address, was sentenced at Liverpool Crown Court on Friday, February 2, after admitting the various offences.

On Tuesday, 12, September 2023, it was reported that someone broke into a home on Woodville Street and an iPad was stolen. Following this incident, various attempts were made by Westhead to use her bank details at stores in St Helens.

On Friday, September 15, it was reported that Westhead asked a resident on Stirling Crescent, Sutton, if she wanted work done to her house. After attending her home three days later, it was reported that her purse had been stolen and her bank card was used in St Helens.

Westhead was sentenced on Friday at Liverpool Crown Court (Image: Stock)

On Sunday, October 8, Westhead approached a resident at her home on Marina Avenue, Sutton, and asked if she wanted work doing to the house.

The victim noticed that her phone, bank cards and watch, which was later recovered, were missing and it was discovered that £2,000 had been transferred from her account.

Following inquiries, Westhead was arrested and admitted theft, handling stolen goods and fraud by false representation. He was jailed for three years and three months.

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Detective Chief Inspector John Fitzgerald said: “Westhead was a particularly callous offender, who would mainly target elderly residents to steal their purses and use their bank cards.

"I hope this sentence shows how seriously Merseyside Police takes such crimes and reassures residents that such criminals are now off our streets.

"Westhead’s actions were thoughtless and callous and our officers hope that his sentence provides him time to consider his actions and the impact it could have had on his victims.”

• If you have any information on suspected theft, always call 999 if a crime is in progress. You can also pass information via police's social media desk on Twitter @MerPolCC or Facebook ‘Merseyside Police Contact Centre’. You can also contact the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously, on 0800 555 111 or via their online form at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/give-information.