WOMAN HOUSEBREAKER

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 64, 27 February 1935, Page 7

WOMAN HOUSEBREAKER

“Very Cunning and Clever” When he heard that the woman before him was “one of the best women housebreakers in England,” Sir Percival Clarke, the chairman at London Sessions, remarked, “I gather it is an occupation women are taking up now.” Detective-Sergeant O’Sullivan; That is so, my lord. In the dock was Ellen Barnes, aged 61, a cook, who pleaded guilty to breaking into a flat at Kensington on two occasions. The first time she stole a quantity of pioperty, and on the second occasion the tenant found her in a bedroom with articles valued at £2O spread on the bed. Detective-Sergeant O’Sullivan said that Barnet, a single woman, had 11 convictions since 1916, her offences including burglary, housebreaking, thelt and false pretences. In April, 1933, she was sentenced at London Sessions to 15 months for housebreaking, and was released last May. “She is a very cunning and clever housebreaker,” continued the officer. “She uses false keys. On one occasion she went to a police court, obtained the address of a woman witness, and broke into her house vhile the was giving evidence.” Barnes asked that two other cases should be taken into consideration, and Sergeant O'Sullivan said that both these referred to young women whose mothers were in Holloway Prison. In one case she, had produced a letter asking to be allowed to have the keys of the flat; and in the other she had represented herself as a wardress. “Barnes is a very daring housebreaker,” added tho officer. ‘Tn fact, she is regarded as being one of the best women housebreakers in England; she is so persistent.” She was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment.