Rossendale burglar with 100 convictions targeted hospice in latest disgraceful thefts

A burglar who has 100 convictions to his name has been sentenced to more than two years in prison after stealing goods from a hospice.

In October last year, Nelson, Brierfield and Barrowford Police were made aware of a burglary at Pendleside Hospice on Colne Road. During the incident, two laptops were taken and CCTV show the offender had gained access to the inpatients’ ward, frequently used by those receiving end of life care.

After enquiries were conducted Peter Everall from Rossendale was arrested for the offence. Officers also found Everall had attended the hospice earlier in the day, pretending to be lost whilst he planned the burglary.

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When he was arrested, the police searched Everall’s address and found a laptop which clearly had a label from a Burnley primary school, which had been stolen too. Additionally, a wallet had been stolen from a skip hire company in Burnley in November last year.

This was taken from the office on the premises, where the general public aren’t generally able to access. However, Everall, of Haslingden, had been spotted on CCTV footage entering the office and taking the wallet.

The burglar was charged and placed on remand last year and has been awaiting sentencing ever since. He’s now been sentenced to 28 months in prison for two burglaries and handling stolen goods.

Everall has 100 convictions to his name and has previously blamed his criminality on Universal Credit. In 2019, he was caught targeting two primary schools and a recycling business, saying his family was left to survive on only child benefits for several weeks.

He also said this was important due to the fact his son has motor neurone disease, which led him to return to his criminal career, despite wanting to “go straight.” A self-confessed ‘scumbag’, Everall was given the opportunity to avoid jail by Judge Philip Parry, as long as he conduct himself properly over the course of two months – despite having 100 convictions for 277 previous offences, including 138 burglaries and attempted burglaries that dated back to 1985.

A spokesperson for Lancashire Constabulary thanked the work in the area that led to Everall’s arrest. They said: “Everall is one of many offenders we deal with, but few go as far as to steal from the likes of a hospice and a primary school, showing the depravity some will stoop to in their criminal activities. “The custodial sentence is good to see and makes the work of Pendle Task Force and Team 1 Colne all worthwhile.”

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