LOVELY CROOK

Hokitika Guardian, 24 June 1927, Page 1

LOVELY CROOK

LONDON, June 12. Remarkable revelations of the life and character of Josephine O’Dare, the beautiful daughter of an obscure farmer, have been made by George Poole, her aged butler, whom she defrauded of his life’s savings. O’Dare invaded AVest End of London society on a career of crime. She was sentenced on AYednesdny to four and a half years’ imprisonment for forging. “Whatever crimes O’Dare committed. she never was »■ coward,” said Poole. “I have seen her cornered and brutally assaulted and she did not flinch.

“Although slie was afraid of Davies (a confederate with whom she lived as man and wife), she always withstood him. Once he rushed into her flat at midnight with a revolver in his hand, struck her a smashing blow on the face and threatened to shoot

“Josephine said, ‘l’ll deal with this mad man.’ “Later, I heard a. terrible struggle, so I burst in the door, and lassoed and bound Davis.

. “O’Dare refused to cal! the police. Once she hid in a wardrobe while five men were scorching her fiat. They assaulted me. Someone blew a police whistle and Josephine came out and told tlie police that it was only a practical joke. “I first met Josephine when 1 answered an advertisement, offering a partnership in a AVestern Australian fruit farm. She received me in an Orientally-furnished room, dimly lit. She emphasised the wonderful prospects of fruit farming. Later I stood her security for £2109 to a moneylender.

“When, asked to produce a horse with which she had stated she hoped to will the Derby, as an asset in bankruptcy, slip told me to buy one for £2O. I refused. , “Once tlie bailiffs occupied her flat for three weeks, but she carried on "bill dinners and da-nees.

“Her final bluff was ‘a. Garden of Allah’ mannequin parade, for which the drawing-room, was transformed into an Oriental garden, crowded with the cream of society watching a- AN est End costumier’s display. “That afternoon slie was declared bankrupt and the details of her parentage became known.”