THE WORST THIEF

Evening Star, Issue 21284, 13 December 1932, Page 6

THE WORST THIEF

WOMAN'S UNSAVOURY PRE-EMINENCE PURLOINED GOODS WORTH £I,OOO CAUGHT OVER POT OF JAM [Per United Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, December 13. “ I think I am safe in saying that this woman is about the worst thief who ever appeared in this court,” said the police prosecutor this morning, referring to Leonie Evelyn M‘Mahon, aged twenty-nine (bookkeeper), alias Norah Purcell, who pleaded guilty to forty charges, mostly shoplifting, and was sentenced to three years’ reformative detention. The Magistrate (Mr Mosley) said a woman like this, who had no moral sense, was an absolute menace to the community. The goods had been stolen from various leading shops over a period of eleven months, and handbags were also stolen from two churchgoers in church, said the Chief Detective. The value of the goods involved in the thefts was £-142. “That, however,” added Chief-detective Carroll, “is probably only about one-tenth of the property we have in our possession. The unfortunate part of it is that we cannot find owners for the bulk of the goods. One look at the property we have must convince anyone that the accused is an expert thief.” The accused was caught taking a pot of jam; that was her downfall. She was allowed to go temporarily, but disappeared, only to be arrested in Lyttelton.