NEWS RELEASE 22/07/2003

Distraction Burglaries

Phyllis Maughn, (16.8.74) was sentenced today for five years at Luton Crown Court after admitting 21 offences against elderly people earlier this year. Maughn, from Saltfield Cres, Luton, was charged with stealing £80 and a mobile phone from one of her elderly distraction burglary victims who lived at St Catherine’s Avenue in the town. She and a male accomplice (still at large) pretended to be officials to gain entry to the home of an elderly woman. She distracted the woman by asking for a glass of water – and when the pair left her home, the victim noticed her belongings missing. Police tracked Maughn down through DNA left at the scene, and when she was arrested, admitted to 18 other offences of a similar nature, plus two offences of theft, carried out between January 7 and March 18. Det Sgt Juliet Beaumont, who investigated the case, said: “This woman used a number of guises to talk her way into the homes of elderly people and then steal from them. She pretended to be from the water board, doing a survey from Tesco or that she was concerned there was a broken glass in the person’s garden.” “The oldest victim was 99 years old, and others were deaf or blind; all of them were very vulnerable and I am delighted for them that there has been a good result today. Being a victim of crime in this way leaves a massive impact on elderly people – I only hope that this in some way makes up for it and they can now start to put it behind them.” “On a general note, police always advise not to let any unexpected callers into your home unless you are positive they are genuine. Make sure they have identification with a photo – and you leave them on the doorstep while you phone the company they claim to be from to check this. If in doubt, lock them out and call the police immediately,” said Det Sgt Beaumont.