A woman who evaded capture for 30 years following a series of armed robberies has been sentenced to prison, in a case that has drawn scrutiny to the effectiveness of the UK’s extradition framework.
The defendant, 64-year-old Susan Stevenson, was convicted in absentia in 1991 for her role in three supermarket robberies that netted over £3 million. She fled the country shortly before her trial and assumed a new identity in Canada. There, she lived openly, marrying and raising a family, until a routine background check by Canadian police triggered an Interpol notice. She was extradited to the UK in 2023.
At her sentencing at the Old Bailey, the judge described her as a “key participant” in the robberies, which involved the use of firearms and resulted in trauma for staff and customers. Stevenson was given a 12-year term, with eight years to serve after time already spent in custody.
The case reignites debate over the UK’s extradition arrangements, particularly the speed and political will required to secure returns. After her disappearance, British authorities issued a European Arrest Warrant, but Stevenson had fled to a non-European jurisdiction. It took nearly three decades for Canadian authorities to act, despite her living under her real name for much of that time.
Critics argue that the UK’s bilateral extradition treaties lack the teeth of the European Arrest Warrant, which has streamlined returns within the EU. The UK’s departure from the bloc has further complicated matters, with the government now reliant on a patchwork of agreements that can be slow and politically fraught.
“This case underscores the limitations of our current system,” said Martin Wright, a former director of public prosecutions. “When a fugitive can disappear into a common law country like Canada and remain undetected for 30 years, it suggests a failure of coordination between police forces and a reluctance to invest in long-term manhunts.”
The Home Office defended its record, stating that it continues to work closely with international partners to bring offenders to justice. A spokesman noted that the UK has secured the extradition of more than 1,000 individuals since 2020.
For Stevenson, the end of her liberty came abruptly. Neighbours in her quiet Vancouver suburb expressed shock, describing her as friendly and unassuming. Her lawyer argued for leniency, citing her advanced age and the decades she had lived without reoffending. The court was unmoved, stressing the seriousness of her original crimes.
The case may prompt a review of how the UK prioritises and resources the pursuit of long-term fugitives. With an estimated 100 individuals still wanted for serious offences dating back to the 1990s, questions remain about whether the system is adequate for the task.
