A SICK conwoman who masqueraded as a charity fundraiser and preyed on the elderly has been jailed.
Armed with a clipboard and fake sponsorship forms, drug addict Paula Magee launched a three-month crime spree pretending that she was raising money for Manchester's world famous Christie Hospital.
She called at the
homes of vulnerable pensioners aged between 65 and 91 and in one instance donned a nurse's uniform to trick one of her victims.
The 35-year-old, who was only released from prison in February this year for stealing from her own grandmother, pleaded guilty to three counts of burglary and three counts of fraud at the city's Minshull Street Crown Court.
She also asked for the other 32 offences to be taken into consideration and was jailed for a total of 32 months.
Magee, a heroin and cocaine addict, was arrested in June cowering under a duvet.
Who else has been locked up in October? Sentences and photo gallery
She then took officers on a tour of Oldham - pointing out places where she had conned her victims to feed her habit.
In most cases she would knock on doors claiming to be going on a sponsored walk for The Christie and asking for money.
In others she would trick her way inside before stealing purses and wallets.
Evil Magee dressed in a nurse's uniform to con her way into 76-year-old Vera Smith's house in Coldhurst.
She told Mrs Smith, who ironically works on a stall raising money for a hospice, she was her new carer and took £10 from her for her 'sponsored walk'.
Leaving her upstairs she then stole £125 Mrs Smith had herself collected for the hospice from her purse before leaving her 'bewildered and confused' said Prosecutor Peter Edmondson.
He added that Magee had left her victims feeling as though they 'were prisoners in their own homes'.
In total Magee conned over £1,100, which was spent on feeding her £70-a-day habit, the court heard.
She will not be forced to repay it or hand it over to The Christie as she has no means to, said Judge Diana Egglestone.
The Judge added that Magee's attacks were often 'calculated' and 'planned' and added that she had 'no option other than to impose an immediate custodial sentence'.
Defending, John Wishart said Magee, who has been in custody since her arrest, had attended rehabilitation programs in prison.
PC Stewart Lindsay
The victims were left traumatised and upset that they had been fooled by her convincing facade
Magee had also written a letter to the Judge expressing remorse for what she had done.
PC Stewart Lindsay described Magee, of Hopwood Court, Middleton, as 'cowardly and cruel'.
He said: "The victims were left traumatised and upset that they had been fooled by her convincing facade and even where only small amounts of cash was taken, the effect of her actions should not be underestimated.
"I cannot stress enough the importance of residents making sure they ask people who call at their houses for identification. Even if they look convincing, they should always have ID if they claim to be from a company and a genuine caller will not mind you asking to see it.
"GMP remains committed to targeting prolific burglars like Magee in order to make people of Greater Manchester safer."
Who else has been locked up in October? Sentences and photo gallery
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Knowsleyman, Paphos (13/10/2009 at 14:43)
It would appear that her last spell inside did not prevent her continuing addiction. Is that because her drugs were so freely available in the Prison?
For one, only the Police come out of this with any credit.
Local lad, outsidethebox (13/10/2009 at 14:50)
Rick Jenks, Bury (13/10/2009 at 15:51)
selfexiled (13/10/2009 at 16:02)
as if this is some kind of penance or wearing of sackcloth. Send Magee to hell.
BALL AND BAT, ALL OVER (13/10/2009 at 16:55)
dog hardy, manchester (13/10/2009 at 17:02)
Jon, a bus driver, Failsworth (13/10/2009 at 17:04)
Brock, Hulme (13/10/2009 at 17:04)
theoracle1981, manchester (13/10/2009 at 17:16)
Another story of an absolute scumbag who should be birched!!
Guten Tag, Manchester (13/10/2009 at 17:26)
BluePurgatory, Manchester (13/10/2009 at 17:36)
Spellbound N Yorks, N Yorks (13/10/2009 at 17:51)
BALL AND BAT, ALL OVER (13/10/2009 at 17:56)
BluePurgatory, Manchester
13/10/2009 at 17:36
It would be alot of fresh air like a canister as my wife is a nurse and tells me its very hard to do????? jus hang her.
Billy Meredith's toothpick, leafy Cheadle (13/10/2009 at 18:22)
-------------------------- -------------------------, ------------------------------------- (13/10/2009 at 18:34)
Andanotherthing, Mcr (13/10/2009 at 18:46)
Lord De Las Moscas, Piggly Wiggly Farm (13/10/2009 at 18:56)
Whats that you say ? Human rights ? Early release ? Weak sentencing ?
Who on earth is responsible for this in todays Britain? Ask the next 100 people you see what sentence she should have been given and I bet not a single one comes up with the same decision as the Courts.
Exactly who are they representing? - because it certainly isnt anyone you or I know is it !
Hands of Stone, Southside (13/10/2009 at 19:56)
What she has done is disgusting but this woman is an addict: do any of you think she really wanted to do any of this? It's a societal problem and ultimately, the government are responsible for society? Yes i know there are other people who have had tough lives as I'm guessing this girl has had etc...but she is clearly ill and needs help. How desperate, low, and shameless must you be to do something like this in the name of a cnacer hospital to vulnerable elderley people??? Exactly...she's ill, if she had cancer or any other illness the first reaction would be pitty and wanting to help her, but because her illness is mental and not clearly obvious to the untrained eye and because her symptons are to lose all shame and take drugs to mask pain and to be that desperate she stoops this low - then the posters on here want to kill her??? I am truly ashamed and disgusted that any of you call yourselves Mancunians.
Alan Hampson (30/09/2010 at 20:30)
nigel brearcliffe (13/10/2009 at 19:57)
theoracle1981, manchester (13/10/2009 at 20:15)
Your right, I take my comments back. There is always someone else to blame!! Its not her fault, she a victim etc etc etc blah blah blah. Bet you wouldnt be saying the same if she ripped off your mother/grandparents.
griffin, stockport (13/10/2009 at 20:26)
I suppose if you came across somebody who had been beaten up you would say 'Oh dear, the person who did this needs counseling.
I'd lock people like her in a cell with a piece of rope!
Ms B, Manchester (13/10/2009 at 20:29)
She is not mentally ill, she is a prolific offender and doesn't deserve any sympathy. Save your sympathy for her victims and don't be an apologist for scum.
nigel brearcliffe (13/10/2009 at 20:29)
The foreigner (13/10/2009 at 21:01)
13/10/2009 at 19:56
OMG, a bleeding-heart liberal. 19 comments and only yours out of step - thankfully.
Nevertheless, you make-up 5% and that's a scary thought. Population of England? 55 million? That's 2.75 million wussies just like you.
And from what I've seen, those 2.75mil are made-up of the judiciary, the CPS and politicians.
cheapside resident, middleton (13/10/2009 at 22:06)