Lollipop lady caught trying to steal purse with anti-vandal paint
GETTY • GOOGLEMAPS A lollipop lady has appeared at Wrexham Magistrates Court this week
Deborah Jones, 47, was found scrubbing her hands "red raw" in a vain attempt to clean them at Gwersyllt Community Primary School, Wrexham, a court heard. Jones, who also worked as a cleaner and kitchen assistant at the school, tried to snatch a purse belonging to Nicola Hughes from a changing room. But she panicked when she realised the purse, and the handbag it was in, were covered with black anti-vandal paint.
Several staff members had reported items going missing or being mislaid over an 18-month period, the court heard. Ms Hughes said she entered the changing room open and saw Jones leaving with a "panicked" look on her face, saying she needed the toilet. She followed her into the bathroom where she saw her washing and scrubbing her hands "frantically" and there was also residue from the paint in the sink.
GETTY The lollipop lady was caught red-handed trying to steal a purse smeared with anti-vandal paint
After reporting the incident to the school's headteacher, the police were called and Jones denied all knowledge of the attempted theft, until it was pointed out to her by PC Richard Waites that her hands were "red raw" from repeatedly scrubbing. The woman late told the officer she was responsible. Jones of Gwersyllt, Wrexham appeared at Wrexham Magistrates Court this week where she admitted theft.
GOOGLE MAPS Jones of Gwersyllt, Wrexham appeared at Wrexham Magistrates Court where she admitted theft
Helen Hall prosecuting added said when Jones was interviewed by police in October last year she said she was "unsure" of what had happened, despite admitting having black paint on her hands. Ms Hall said in the 18 months before the incident, several staff members had reported items going missing or being mislaid leading to Ms Hughes suspecting a member of staff was responsible. Thomas Sherrington, defending, said Jones had experienced "a horrendous road traffic accident resulting in her suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder ever since".
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She was left with a broken leg after she was struck by a car while on duty as a lollipop lady outside the school in September 2014. Jones had no previous convictions and had acted "out of character," her solicitor added. "She has been plagued by this condition and this may explain why she committed this crime which was not in tune with her previous life," he said.