Great Western Coffee Shop

Two prolific Merseyside thieves have been handed prison sentences and a CRASBO after admitting 11 charges of theft.

Anthony Summers, of Moscow Drive, Liverpool, and Pamela Ravenscroft, of Low Wood Road, Birkenhead, appeared for sentencing at Liverpool Crown Court on Monday, 30 November.

Summers, 44, pleaded guilty to seven counts and was sentenced to two years imprisonment. He was also issued with an ASBO which will prevent him from entering any railway station or train for four years.

Ravenscroft, 42, pleaded guilty to four counts and was sentenced to 50 weeks imprisonment, suspended for two years and must undergo treatment for drug dependency for 12 months. She was also ordered to carry out 100 hours community service.

The court heard that Summers and Ravenscroft, with almost 150 previous convictions between them, were responsible for a number of luggage thefts between 26 January and 28 February this year ^ all on trains departing from Liverpool Lime Street.

During the crime spree the pair managed to steal property worth more than ^7,500 in seven offences which took place on trains at Liverpool, Runcorn and Warrington Central.

British Transport Police officers investigating the thefts scoured hours of CCTV footage from the stations and on each occasion saw either Summers or Ravenscroft taking property from on board the trains ^ often distracting the owner in the process.

Detective Chief Inspector Malcolm McKinnon said: ^Following extensive work we executed a warrant at the former home of Summers and Ravenscroft and discovered several items of stolen property. The sentences handed out by Liverpool Crown Court reflect the nature of the offences as well as the number of crimes committed by the pair. The thefts they carried out not only deprived people of valuable property, but also of irreplaceable items such as university coursework and other computer files.^

DCI McKinnon added: ^Both Summers and Ravenscroft have admitted drug dependency and there is no doubt that this was a driving factor behind their criminal behaviour. Illegal drugs ^ and the resulting criminality of those addicted to them ^ are a major issue for police forces, and officers from BTP are working tirelessly to address these issues by locating offenders and bringing them to justice. This is an ongoing problem and we will continue to deal with any issues which have a negative impact on the quality of life of rail staff and passengers.^