Woman Uses Sham Injuries to Raid Homes in Folkestone
Kimberley Flaherty, 24, from Clarence Street, pulled off a sneaky crime spree in Folkestone by pretending to be injured or in need. She used classic distraction tricks – like asking for a glass of water, an ice pack, or to use the toilet – to get inside victims’ homes before nicking cash and bank cards.
Distraction Queen Strikes Again and Again
Her thieving began on 31 May 2018, when she smashed a window in a Wood Avenue flat. By 9 June, she was sweet-talking her way into a Princess Street property, asking to use the bathroom and then a glass of water while admiring the victim’s belongings. After sneaking away with his wallet, the man discovered the empty wallet dumped near a shop on canterbury/" title="Canterbury" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Canterbury Road. Flaherty even tried to use his card there, raising the alarm to Kent Police.
Desperate Requests for Water, Flannels and Ice Packs
On 12 June alone, Flaherty targeted three homes in Rossendale Gardens, Grover Road, and Charlotte Street. At Rossendale Gardens, she claimed a hurt leg and needed a drink and flannel. When the resident refused to let her snoop, she still managed to steal his wallet and cash.
Later that day, she climbed through an open window on Grover Road, swiping more cash and cards before being caught on CCTV trying to use the stolen cards at a shop on Blackbull Road. At Charlotte Street, she blamed a broken fence on escaping a pursuer and charmed her way inside. She even asked for an ice pack before making off with her latest haul.
Police Close In and Justice Served
Flaherty’s spree ended when officers caught her in Radnor Bridge Road later that day. She pleaded guilty to four burglaries, fraud, criminal damage, and theft – including stealing vodka from a Hythe supermarket while on bail.
Canterbury Crown Court sentenced her to four years behind bars on 19 July 2018.
Detective Constable Kelvin Lucken warned: “Flaherty exploited people’s kindness to fund her lifestyle and posed a real risk to the public. She left DNA and fingerprints at crime scenes and was caught trying to use stolen cards on camera. Thanks to the victims’ cooperation, she’s now behind bars. Don’t hesitate to turn away strangers knocking at your door, no matter what excuse they give.”
