WOMAN AS SWINDLER

Evening Star, Issue 19674, 29 September 1927, Page 2

WOMAN AS SWINDLER

AMAZING CAREER OF CRIME MYSTERIOUS MRS MAEITCH. The amazing criminal career of_a woman who lived by her wits was dcsciibed at a. London court recently, when Mrs Dorothea Maritch was convicted of obtaining gems worth £1,300 from jewellers by false pretences. Detective-sergeant Sands said that MarItch had two children, and their father was Milan Maritch, a Russian subject and an ex-officer of the Russian Naval Reserve. Her story was that she visited him on board a ship in the Royal Albert Docks, where a priest of the Orthodox Church married them. For the last year or two Mr Maritch had followed no occupation, except household duties, at his wife’s house at Horne Bay, but Mrs Maritch had spent the middle part of each week in London, returning to Herne Bay only at week-ends. “ What is she doing in London during the week? ” asked Mr Wilborforcc, the de-puty-chairman. “ I think she has been a sort of lout money-lenders,” replied Sergeant Sands. It is believed that her proper name is Amour. She lias a very plausible and convincing manner, and first came under the attention’ of the police in 1922. Since then she has lived by her wits. She is heavily_ indebted to tradesmen in London, Brighton, and Ilerne Bay. Even the counsel who represented her at the Police Court, and her solicitor, I understand, have not been paid, neither have the milkmen, bakers, and butchers. “That’s a lie! ’ shouted Mrs Maritch. “ Well, wc will out the butchers,” said Mr Wilberforce. Sergeant Sands added that about November of 1925, Mrs Maritch became acquainted with a Mrs Rebecca Pohl, owner of a house at Herne Bay, who had been certified in lunacy and was in care of friends. It was alleged that Mrs Fold's estate had been depleted to the extent of £20,000, owing to Mrs Maritch, assisted by a woman of title, with the prefix of “Hon.,” two solicitors, ?.nd a man said to have been deported from South Africa following _ conviction for fraud. Mrs Maritch. the sergeant added, had been associated with a man who, under the assumed name of “ Hcsketh Pearson his real name was staled to bo Frederick Horace Pearson —was sentenced last April to twelve months’ imprisonment for fraud. Mrs Maritch endeavored to negotiate a forged hill of exchange, which purported to bear the signature of Brigadier-general Basil Buckley, which was handed to her by ‘ Hcsketh Pearson.” After a consultation with her counsel, Mrs Maritch still refused lo reveal where the remainder of the jewellery was, although the judge warned her that continued obstinacy would mean a severe seiifenec. He postponed sentence until the following week, in order lo give her every opportunity, adding: “Consider this carefully, or you will have a long while in which ,to consider it.” When the accused again appeared before the court, it was stated that Mrs Maritch, while in prison, had refused to give any informal ion about the jewellery except on the condition that she was bound ovci. “If you wish lo give any information you may do so now, but, remember, I am not goin rr to be trifled with. 'Phis is your last opportunity,” said Mr Wilberforce lo the woman. Sergeant Sands said ho had traced to a reputable firm of West End pawnbrokers diamond earrings and rings, some of which had been sold outright. There was still nearly £SOO worth of jewellery unaccounted for. . . . „ ' , “ There arc three rings missing, replied Mrs Maritch. “ The Hon. Mrs has one, and with regard lo the oilier two I don’t want to mention the names in court.” The accused was sentenced to twelve months’ imprisonment.