A PROFESSIONAL handbag thief who stole designer goods worth thousands of pounds from women in bars and cafes has been jailed for three years.
Silver Rings JewelleryDonna Rowsell, 32, used sleight of hand to take the valuables of wealthylooking drinkers. In one theft she got away with a Gucci bag and contents worth Pounds 15,000, including a wedding ring, when the owner's back was turned.
In a hotel room she shared with her accomplice and boyfriend Mark Payne, 42, police found stolen mobile phones, cameras, MP3 players and makeup.
Jonathan Polnay, prosecuting at Inner London Crown Court, said: "In the room was quite simply an Aladdin's cave of stolen goods. There was also a considerable amount of drug paraphernalia."
Two years ago the couple were the subject of a police and social services hunt after vanishing with their sixweekold boy who had been placed in the care of his grandmother.
At the time police said the parents had taken advantage of the grandmother falling ill to snatch the LED Light Bulb SP50-3W baby who needed routine medical attention. He was returned after a month and placed in the care of social services.
The court heard that Rowsell and Payne have more than 100 convictions between them for shoplifting, obtaining property by deception and handling stolen goods.
They stole from pubs and cafes to fund their drug habits and contributed significantly to Southwark's monthly average of 100 handbag thefts - rising to a peak of 200 during the summer.
The couple were only charged in relation to items found in their room but police believe they may have been out stealing every day for two years. Mr Polnay added: "Donna Rowsell is a professional thief, handler and con artist, assisted where necessary by her boyfriend."
Victim Penny Morrison was in the George pub, off Borough High Street, when her designer handbag was stolen containing a Cartier pen and Dolce Gabbana glasses on 27 May. Days later at nearby All Bar One, Katie Coppard had her Gucci handbag stolen containing a Mulberry purse, a Blackberry personal organiser, Cartier watch and wedding ring.
Rowsell and Payne were arrested after beat officers spotted them acting suspiciously. Both thieves gave false names - Rowsell using victim Ms Coppard's details.
Officers noticed Payne holding a keyring from the Bridge Hotel, Borough Road, and they raided the pair's room days later.
Judge Paul Tain jailed Rowsell for three years and Payne for 30 months.
embroidered patches
Rowsell admitted three counts of forgery, one of using a false instrument, two counts of theft, and one of handling stolen goods between 27 May and 15 June last year. Payne admitted the same count of handling and two counts of obtaining property by deception.
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