BABY STEALING CASE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20065, 11 October 1939, Page 14

BABY STEALING CASE

WOMAN IN COURT HINT AT A MOTIVE LONDON, Aug. 1. Circumstances leading to a charge of baby stealing against Olive Evans, 27. independent, of Colney Hatchlane, Muswell Hill, were told to Mr. L. R. Dunne, at Marylebone Police Court. The baby is Alec John, the two-weeks-old child of Miss Anita Lorraine John, a domestic servant, of Church street, Paddington. Mr. Maxwell Turner, prosecuting, said that Miss John gave birth to the child in Paddington Hospital on July 12. ' She was called upon a week later by Evans, who obtained admission to the hospital by saying she was a welfare worker. She admitted to Miss John she was not, but said she had been sent to help her by a Mrs. Mary Flood. The two women went to Paddington station with the baby on July 24, Evans saying she wanted to meet a man from Wales. Eventually the accused went off with the baby, ostensibly to look for the man friend, but failed to return. The police were notified and went to her address, where they found a plate on the door. "Nurse Wallington, S.R.N.” Evans denied having the baby at the house. “Nurse Wallington” A 2 o'clock the following morning,

said counsel, the accused, carrying the baby, was seen at Muswell Hill Broadway, and a policeman obtained a car for her to go to Paddington station. She said she wanted to go to Wales, where her father was ill. Evans, however, drove to Paddington police station and stated she had been given the baby to mind and the mother had not returned for it. She was asked if her name was Nurse Wallingffin, and she replied, “What has that got to do with it?” She added: “I was only doing the mother a good turn.” Mr. Dunne asked counsel if he could suggest how the baby would be an asset to the accused, or if he could suggest a motive. Mr. Maxwell Turner: I could, but. I would rather not. Evans was_remanded in custody for a week. ,