AN EXPERT IN CRIME

Shannon News, 20 September 1927, Page 1

AN EXPERT IN CRIME

“Titled Lady’s” Offences JUDGE ABUSED FROM THE | DOCK ! Fur sheer effrontery and daring it 1 would be difficult to mat'h the exploits of u woman named May I'oucett aged 42, who was sentenced recently at the Old Bailey to penal servitude. Posing as a titled lady, she. obtained quantities .of valuable goods from trusting trades- : men, and tried to persuade a wellknown firm to let her have a -£2OOO motor car. To convince her dupes, the woman represented that she was a breeder of horses on a large scale in Canada and that she had come to England to : 'll some of her horses . To create I e right atmosphere she strolled about the streets dressed in a riding suit, breeches and knee boots. It was while garbed in equestrian style that the imposter was arrested, all her efforts to bluff a detective being unavailing. Throughout the trial the woman preserved a dogged silence, refusing either to make a statement or to question witnesses. When, however, the common sergeant ,Sir Henry Dickens, announced sentence, she gasped and created a scene. Leaning over the front of the dock, the unmasked adventuress roundly abused Sir Henry, and was pouring out streams of investive as the wardresses removed her to the cells. “ She (seems to have found her voice at last! ’ was the Judge’s dry comm^ 4 Victims and police officers were able to reveal the extraordinary exploits of the accused when, stylishly dressed, and described as being of no occupation, she stepped into the dock. She was accused of carrying out a series of frauds on tradesmen at Barnes, stealing a gold watch, and being an habitual criminal. The Affable * ‘ Great Lady. ’ ’ Doucctt made her debut in Barnes socie!f !i ‘ 5< dtifih'g"tho latter-part of June. Her favourite costume was a grey rid ing suit with breeches and knee boots, and she was frequently seen strolling about the streets carrying a riding crop and a pair of gauntlet gloves. Thus attired she would call on tradesmen, and, giving the name of “ Lady Stir ling," place, or endeavour to execute orders for large quantities of valuable goods . She portrayed the role of the affable great lady with remarkable skill, and usually took the opportunity to in form her dupes that she had just come over from Canada with a number of horses which she wished to sell in England. On one occasion, when accused was in the shop of a local costumier, it so chanced that a number of riding horses from a local school of equestrianism were led down the street. ‘ ‘ Those are some of my nags,” remarked Doucctt to the modiste who was attending ter. “ They are just out at exercise.” A few moments later a substantial order for wearing apparel was proffered and accepted, the goods being delivered at “Lady Stirling’s” apartments the same day. “ Her ladyship ” explained that she was unable to pay cash as the bulk of her money was still in dollars. She would settle the account as soon as she could obtain a supply of British currency. It is hardly necessary to add that the bill in question was never met. Variety of Dresses and Names.

When accused did not wear her riding costume she appeared in a variety of stylish Paris creations. With each change of dress she assumed a new name, and was very careful to move in circles other than those in which she was known as ” Lady Stirling.” She was now, according to her own proclamation, “ Lady Joan Marshall,” but apparently there was some uncertainty about her parentage, for to one shopkeeper she represented that she was the daughter of “ Admiral Marshall,” while to another that her father was ” Lord Marshall, of Belgrave Square.” In order more effectively to sustain this role, Doueett hired a luxurious car in which to do her ” shopping,” and to call on friends. She represented that this vehicle was her own property, and at the same time made strenuous efforts to obtain possession of a car.

In the first instance Doueett approached a well known firm of motor agents and endeavoured to persuade them to let her have a motor car priced at over £2OOO on credit. The firm’s representative, however, refused to agree to this. Undismayed, “ her ladyship ” then visited a rival concern and made overtures with a view to obtaining delivery of a car valued at £375. Again she was unsuccessful. Her third and final effort in this direction, which also proved abortive, w T as to approach another agency and endeavour io induce the salesman to let her have a .motor car listed at £350. •