A DRUG FIEND.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18264, 24 December 1924, Page 10

A DRUG FIEND.

AUSTRALIAN WOMAN'S CAREER IN CRIME. (riUSSS ASSOCIATION TBLZfaSAII.) AUCKLAND, December 23. "The question is what is to ho done with this -woman? She is a morphine maniac, and a notorious criminal, and she should he sent back to Australia, where she comes from." So 6tated Mr J. W. Pc-ynton, S.M., at the conclusion of a case at the Police Court this morning concerning a nurse who was convicted on a charge of false pretences. The accused was Margaret Beatrice Brodie, and she was charged with obtaining goods to the value of £66 IBs 9d and money totalling £8 by false pretences; attempting to obtain goods valued at £l6 °s Sd from Smith and Caughey by false pretences; and with failing to account to Nora Bennett for 1 the sum of £3 12s. The accused was formerly matron of Warkworth Hospital, and in October obtained a position under the Auckland Hospital Board as matron in charge at Warkworth. She was arrested in Hawke's Bay under another name. She told a detective that she was a drug addict and had been taking morphia daily for years. Accused admitted a series of previous convictions at Adelaide. Perth, Melbourne and Sydney., principally for false pretences. The Magistrate described) the accused as a dangerous woman, who should be' returned to Australia, or imprisoned for as long as possible. She was remanded for sentence.