Tragic Haslingden thief preyed on schoolchildren (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Tragic Haslingden thief preyed on schoolchildren

4:00pm Friday 1st March 2013 in News

A GAMBLING addict who went out stealing claimed he did it to give his tragic little boy a better life – but his victims were other people’s children.

Prolific criminal Peter Everall, 39, crept into schools and rifled through pupils' pockets while they were having PE lessons.

Everall, who went on a £2,200 spree, sneaked into buildings throughout East Lancashire and struck while on bail.

He wanted to be the best dad he could be and thought he could turn the “few pounds” he made from crime into thousands at the bookies to provide for the very sick three-year-old child, Burnley Crown Court heard.

But the court was told Everall, who was an inept burglar and always got caught, was deluding himself and had wasted all the cash on bets.

He fought back tears as his barrister told how he feared his young son, who has dysmorphic neuromuscular disease, a degenerative condition, may die while he was behind bars.

Everall, of Hudrake, Haslingden, had admitted six counts of burglary and has been committed for sentence by magistrates. He was locked up for three-and-a half years.

The court heard he had “a very extensive record” and had been offending for decades.

David Macro, prosecuting, said he went into St Christopher's High School, in Accrington, and went through children's pockets while they were in games lessons. He was also captured on CCTV entering and leaving the Rhyddings Business and Enterprise School in Hyndburn. Last December he was caught at 5pm in the office by the caretaker at Peel Brow County Primary School, in Ramsbottom.Mr Macro said Everall also went into the office at Holland's Pies in Baxenden during the night shift and helped himself to a mobile phone.

He ended the catalogue of crime at Senator International in Accrington on January 28 where CCTV showed him moving around.

Tim Brennand, defending, said Everall's criminality had been opportunistic and low grade.

The barrister said: “He is an inept and inadequate burglar.

“He doesn't wear disguises or carry with him tools, equipment or gloves.”

Judge Beverley Lunt told Everall: “You know your little boy is very poorly. That doesn't stop you. You know your partner needs your help with that little boy. That doesn't stop you. All you think of is you.”