A WOMAN has been sentenced by the courts after stealing a purse from an elderly lady.

The incident happened at the start of August, with Cheshire Police issuing a CCTV appeal in September in a bid to catch those responsible.

At around 1.30pm on Monday, August 7, a woman in her 70s was shopping in Sankey Street in the town centre when she discovered her purse had been taken from her bag.

As part of their investigation, officers released CCTV stills of three women they wished to speak to in connection with the incident.

The women were seen leaving the area in a car which has links to the Huddersfield area of West Yorkshire.

PC Graham Davies said: “We have been making enquiries in the area and have identified that the women may be linked to the Huddersfield area.

“I would urge anyone who recognises these women or has any information that will help identify the suspects to contact me.”

The wanted appeal for the remaining two suspects continues to be active, however one was arrested at Liverpool Airport earlier this month attempting to leave the UK.

The force’s Warrington Police team said: “Very early on the morning of Wednesday, December 20, Cheshire Police officers were on hand to arrest a female as she attempted to leave the UK via Liverpool John Lennon Airport.

“She had been circulated as wanted by the town centre beat team for her alleged part in a purse dipping against an elderly female in early August.

“She was charged and remanded to go before the court the following morning and has since been remanded in custody.”

Nikol Tsvetkova, of Deighton Road in Huddersfield, was charged with theft from a person.

The 19-year-old appeared before Chester Magistrates’ Court where she admitted stealing the elderly lady’s purse, which contained £50 in cash and bank cards.

Magistrates proceeded to sentence her immediately afterwards to a fine of £300, compensation of £50 to the woman, a statutory victim surcharge of £120 and court costs of £120.