A woman convicted of targeting elderly passengers on London buses has avoided immediate imprisonment due to recent changes in sentencing laws. Stefka Gishanova, 55, was sentenced at Harrow Crown Court but received a suspended sentence owing to revisions introduced under the Sentencing Act, which took effect on March 22. The legislation mandates that prison terms of 12 months or less be suspended, impacting the outcome of Gishanova's case.
Gishanova, originally from Bulgaria and residing in Edmonton, north London, was found guilty of multiple thefts, including stealing £1,900 in cash from a pensioner who had withdrawn the money to buy Christmas presents in November 2023. She was also convicted of taking mobile phones and a bus pass from elderly victims, with all offences occurring on London buses between December 2022 and August 2025. Among the victims was a disabled Muslim pensioner from whom Gishanova stole a £1,400 phone while en route to evening prayers.
At sentencing, Judge John Lodge described Gishanova as a "professional thief" who deliberately targeted vulnerable individuals. He noted that her sentence was reduced from a potential two years to 12 months under the new Sentencing Guidelines and further reduced due to her ill health, lack of prior convictions, and a guilty plea. As a result, her custodial term was suspended. She has been in custody since her arrest on July 22 but walked free following the court hearing, using a walking stick and with interpretation provided to assist her understanding.
The judge warned Gishanova that had she contested the charges and forced a trial, her sentence would likely have been substantially longer. He also emphasized that if she remained in the UK and reoffended within two years, she would be required to serve the 12-month custodial sentence immediately.
The impact of Gishanova’s crimes on the victims was highlighted during the proceedings. One pensioner affected by the £1,900 theft stated in an impact statement that the incident had drastically reduced her mobility and confidence, confining her to only one outing per week and avoiding crowded buses.
The case raises broader concerns about the recent sentencing reforms, which have also led to early release provisions for two men convicted of manslaughter in the death of police officer Andrew Harper. These changes aim to alleviate overcrowding in prisons; however, issues persist within the prison system. For instance, HMP Millsike, a newly opened Category C resettlement facility near York with a capacity of nearly 1,500 inmates, currently operates under reduced numbers due to staffing shortages, leaving hundreds of cells unoccupied 18 months after its launch.
A source familiar with the situation noted ongoing recruitment challenges for prison officers, limiting the operational capacity of HMP Millsike despite the available infrastructure. This context underscores the complexities and practical challenges faced by the criminal justice system amid recent legislative adjustments.