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12:00pm Tuesday 27th November 2007
IT was the ultimate betrayal.
When Jewell Ryan moved into an elderly couple's Hampshire home to become a live-in carer she was meant to make their lives easier.
But just nine months later she faked a massive burglary and arranged for the theft of 200 highly valuable items from her employers.
The haul was estimated to be worth up to £400,000.
The 59-year-old used a glossy brochure produced by Winchester auctioneers Bonhams to select the most valuable items from Leeland House in the High Street, Twyford.
She even stole treasured personal possessions by rifling though drawers in the room where the elderly woman she was meant to be caring for was lying in bed suffering from dementia.
However, her despicable actions involving two accomplices were exposed after police became suspicious about her allegation of a burglary and subsequently found Ch'ing dynasty porcelain in her suitcase.
Today Ryan, of Alexander Road, Hemel Hempstead, is beginning a six-and-a-half-year prison sentence after a Winchester Crown Court jury found her guilty of conspiracy to steal and conspiracy to obtain property by deception.
She was found guilty of using a stolen credit card to obtain goods worth £2,271 and £2,200 in cash.
Co-accused Lionel Sime, 51, of Eagles Close, Merston, Kent was also found guilty of conspiracy to steal and conspiracy to obtain property by deception and jailed for five-and-a half years.
Henry Messenger, 65, of Stone Street, Faversham, Kent, was also found guilty of conspiracy to handle stolen goods and jailed for six years.
A fourth man, Robert Moys, 57, of Old Tree Road, Hoath, Canterbury, was acquitted of conspiracy to handle stolen goods.
Sentencing, Judge Andrew Barnett said the breach of trust was among the worst he had seen.
The trial heard that in January, 2005, Ryan got a job as a live-in carer with Major General Giles Mills, now 85 years old, to help look after his wife Emily who had dementia.
Maj Gen Mills served in the Second World War.
He and Emily had been married for 58 years and had three children.
Ryan and her boyfriend Sime faked a break-in and arranged for scores of items to be stolen.
The haul included paintings, objets d'art, jewellery, furniture, including ten chairs and six tables, silver, medals and many simpler items of sentimental value.
Mrs Mills was unaware of what was going on and Maj Gen Mills was away visiting family.
The trial heard that in the early hours of September 22, 2005, Ryan rang 999 to report a burglary but the police were suspicious as there was little evidence of a break-in. She was arrested five days later and the Ch'ing dynasty porcelain was found in her suitcase.
Charles Gabb, prosecuting, said: "This was a vicious and spiteful selection by Ryan of this old lady's property, including her most treasured personal possessions."
Within two months of the burglary Mrs Mills had died, although it was not related to the theft. Maj Gen Mills was so upset that soon afterwards he sold the house and moved away, the court heard.
Robert Grey, mitigating for Ryan, said: "It's surprising she finds herself here. She is a lady of 59 of previous good character."
Adam Morgan, for Sime, said he was an alcoholic whose life had been devastated by drink.
Rupert Bowers, for Messenger, accepted his client was a career criminal who would find it difficult to spend time in jail.
Sentencing Judge Andrew Barnett told Ryan: "This is one of the most appalling breaches of trust I have ever heard.
"You used your position to gain knowledge of the house, the whereabouts of the alarms, the whereabouts of the underfloor safe, the whereabouts of the keys and hence the ability to attack from the inside that house, filled as it was with many antiques which were prized not just for their value but their sentimental effect."
hmm, says...
9:17am Tue 27 Nov 07
Hiram Hackenbacker wrote:Did she have a history of being a thief?
Would CRB checks by the employer have prevented this crime?
Denzil, Romsey says...
9:30am Tue 27 Nov 07
Cynic, says...
10:36am Tue 27 Nov 07
King Mush, Woolston says...
11:18am Tue 27 Nov 07
Tornadobabe, On this planet says...
11:19am Tue 27 Nov 07
King Mush, Woolston says...
11:21am Tue 27 Nov 07
Tornadobabe wrote:and YOU have nothing better to do with YOUR time by posting this response?
Cynic.. At last someone who doesn't make idiotic comments about what they read. As for the rest of you.. surely you have something better to do with your time
Cynic, says...
12:52pm Tue 27 Nov 07
Denzil, Romsey says...
12:52pm Tue 27 Nov 07
Cynic, says...
12:58pm Tue 27 Nov 07
George, says...
1:00pm Tue 27 Nov 07
Denzil wrote:Is this you outing yourself as a King Mush sock puppet, then, Denzil?
OK fine I admit it some of my comments are stupid, and I say controversial things to annoy you lot, but it keeps me going!
Cynic, says...
1:02pm Tue 27 Nov 07
Denzil, Romsey says...
1:04pm Tue 27 Nov 07
Cynic wrote:What's in it for me?
Denzil -a general apology might go down well. It would put you in a better league than the Mush character.
Denzil, Romsey says...
1:09pm Tue 27 Nov 07
Cynic wrote:I have nothing to apologise for. However, united dunce should apologise, he adds nothing to debates tries miserably at impersonating me clogging up these pages. A troll some might say.
Denzil -a general apology might go down well. It would put you in a better league than the Mush character.
toxteth o'grady, says...
1:10pm Tue 27 Nov 07
Why, oh why? says...
1:12pm Tue 27 Nov 07
Cynic wrote:Thats what I like about this forum and others do to.
A genuine forum is where real people gather, in person, to discuss and debate matters of public concern. One would choose one's words carefully, as one has to look the oppositon in the face. And if you become negatively hostile, you would be expected to leave. Here, one encounters ludicrous nicknames, false locations, and antagonistic remarks that are designed solely to cause distress. It can be quite phoney. Although the King Mush character has been tempered of late, it still has to accept responsibility for creating the original tension here. Other forum users have created similar roles, and there have been some quite amusing spontaneous impros that would have delighted a Drama specialist ! So this is where the cyber forum hangs, in some "otherplace", that is at once reality and fantasy. Watch King Mush now assume denial mode, and back away with a few well-chosen snipes. Always the grubby guerilla, never the leading light.
George, says...
1:24pm Tue 27 Nov 07
Hiram Hackenbacker, Tracey Island says...
2:04pm Tue 27 Nov 07
Cynic wrote:So how did someone with dementia appoint Ryan in the first place? It was a valid question about the CRB and you have simply increased my interest in who might have acted for this person.
Three stupid, inane comments in a row ! The employer was suffering from dementia, so would not have been able to request a CRB. A history of being a thief ? You mean did she mention it in her CV ? And then the snide remark at the bin men. People put all kinds of filth in their bins without wrapping it up, so I would say emptying the average bin is only slightly less unpleasant than unblocking their toilet. Do you three really feel you ought to be left alone with a computer ?
Hiram Hackenbacker, Tracey Island says...
2:06pm Tue 27 Nov 07
saddened, Southampton says...
2:39pm Tue 27 Nov 07
Jeff Le Taxi, southampton says...
3:17pm Tue 27 Nov 07
bingolover, at my desk says...
3:53pm Tue 27 Nov 07
King Mush, Woolston says...
4:15pm Tue 27 Nov 07
Christoff, says...
5:04pm Tue 27 Nov 07
King Mush wrote:Well said Mush. I have been on the 'forum' for about the same time as you but I admit I have had to change my name as I used to work for the Daily Echo...the content was about the same 'pre Mush' but not as much. I wouldn't be as sad to say I'm a fan but I have no problem with most of what you say and if I did, wouldn't get my nickers in a twist. Just who does Cynic think he is?
Dear oh dear. I pop out around noon, then back at 4 to check emails and have a look through my favourite news forum. Cynic has popped up again, and still banging on about the naughty boys who dare to 'spoil' his personal webspace. I note that he still falls for the assorted trolls that join in and incorrectly assumes that it was me! Hilarious and part of the fun. George and others try to 'educate' this misguided deluded fool who somehow blames ME for the irreverent nonsense that blows in. Who gives a toss about being on or off topic? I do admit to posting silly stuff but often input what I consider to be reasonable debate. Cynic - you must realise that this is NOT A REAL FORUM. I understand your points but you still can't a grip on the way in which any unmoderated web forum works. With every post, you bury yourself deeper and seem to be wasting your intellect, as I am fairly aware of how your mind works. It's a shame that you cannot get rid of your paranoia and Mushophobia. Surely you take some notice of what others say? I will answer your latest diatribe in my own good time and will take no notice of your rather lame attempt to claim that I have 'no guts' and quickly bang the 'back' button whenever getting some cyber flak from a very sad person. I'm not sure how long I have actually joined in this forum, and ma wondering what was its content before I rolled into town with my guns a blazin? Do tell
pure twaddle, says...
5:27pm Tue 27 Nov 07
shylock, on up an uperkye says...
5:49pm Tue 27 Nov 07
pure twaddle wrote:Lol.I would jump at the chance to say something.
I don't mean any harm but may I suggest Denzil, Cynic, King mush & co hold hands and take a hike off the highest bridge they can find. We can then write about their poor,lonely,pathetic lives on this site. I'm sure they would appreciate that.
Hiram Hackenbacker, Tracey Island says...
5:50pm Tue 27 Nov 07
bingolover wrote:Thank you.
To answer Mr Hackenbacker, a CRB check would only have been of any use if Ms Ryan had a previous criminal record. Also, the couple that employed her would've had to pay to have this done- and they would've needed to know how to go about getting hold of the paperwork in the first place....
Cynic, says...
5:52pm Tue 27 Nov 07
Simon, Romsey says...
6:27pm Tue 27 Nov 07
Cynic wrote:So why don't you use your own name? Cynic? Come on... give it a rest.
I'm beginning to realise that I am the only one who reads other people's comments carefully. The criticisms made of me are a bit baffling - I am simply giving my opinion, like everyone else. The Mush character seems to be adopting a more reasoned approach, which is quite interesting. As Mush has said, one should not take things too seriously here. But sometimes it is good fun to approach things like a solicitor, building a case for the defence or the prosecution just for the hell of it. I actually have just about enough integrity to realise that I wouldn't be able to run this forum the way I'd like to. No one can. How can you control a situation were you cannot see the others, and they call themselves things like "pure twaddle". I think that character has scored something of an own goal.
Cynic, says...
9:20pm Tue 27 Nov 07
dave, says...
9:34pm Tue 27 Nov 07
Cynic wrote:Go **** youself, you pompous ****. I think you understand that
You can't just allege that I'm a hypocrite without backing it up. Unless you are playing "Simon Says" ! I have little trust in the people that haunt these columns. If everyone had to publish their correct name, then I would. But I'm not going to be the only one to publish my name, am I ? Stop taking the p iss, Simon of Romsey - auditioning for "Robin Hood" are we ? Like certain other alter egos that visit this forum, I make sme very telling and forthright comments, sometimes. Again, like some other characters here, I happen to have been well-educated, and can probably give a good account of myself as required. But I reserve the right to tear up and spit out, verbally, any half-wit with a gob and two GCSE's who thinks he or she can libel me, or just be plain offensive. I look, first of all, for lively discussion. As soon as the chavs turn up, I tell them to fu ck off. It's the language they understand. But, oh dear, how hurt they are when told ! They want to dominate the forum with their ill-considered, half-baked musings, and resent it when others say someting more intelligent. By the way, this is not pompous bulls hit, it is fact. Tough, if it hurts.
ron, says...
9:55pm Tue 27 Nov 07
dave wrote:Is the missing words rodger and di ck by any chance?
Cynic wrote: You can't just allege that I'm a hypocrite without backing it up. Unless you are playing "Simon Says" ! I have little trust in the people that haunt these columns. If everyone had to publish their correct name, then I would. But I'm not going to be the only one to publish my name, am I ? Stop taking the p iss, Simon of Romsey - auditioning for "Robin Hood" are we ? Like certain other alter egos that visit this forum, I make sme very telling and forthright comments, sometimes. Again, like some other characters here, I happen to have been well-educated, and can probably give a good account of myself as required. But I reserve the right to tear up and spit out, verbally, any half-wit with a gob and two GCSE's who thinks he or she can libel me, or just be plain offensive. I look, first of all, for lively discussion. As soon as the chavs turn up, I tell them to fu ck off. It's the language they understand. But, oh dear, how hurt they are when told ! They want to dominate the forum with their ill-considered, half-baked musings, and resent it when others say someting more intelligent. By the way, this is not pompous bulls hit, it is fact. Tough, if it hurts.Go **** youself, you pompous ****. I think you understand that
Cynic, says...
12:43am Wed 28 Nov 07
nite worker, says...
1:02am Wed 28 Nov 07
Cynic wrote:It depends who's getting rodgered.....I suppose.
I guess it hurt, then. LOL !
Cynic, says...
10:19am Wed 28 Nov 07
George, says...
12:01pm Wed 28 Nov 07
King Mush, Woolston says...
1:18pm Wed 28 Nov 07
dave, says...
1:37pm Wed 28 Nov 07
Cynic wrote:The topic was about a carer who engineered a burglary.
No discussion works where people deliberately choose to misinterpret opinions and comments, something you could not get away with face to face. Coming late to computer social communication, I\'ve often been intrigued at the way people quickly turn to verbal abuse on these open forums, simply, I suppose, because you can do so with impunity. We\'ve got a bullying element here who don\'t like to be challenged. As I have said before, it defeats the object of a forum. If someone can make a comment, albeit controversial, and another can repond with \"you\'re a tw at\" and still remain on the forum, we don\'t really have free speech. Free speech, as you know, does not mean the freedom to yell abuse at the top of your voice whenever you feel like it. The freedom to express your opinion, no matter how controversial, comes at a high price. There has to be some sort of code that everyone agrees to adhere to, otherwise some people will not state their views for fear of intimidation. There are a number of us who have posted here, and have had to tolerate torrents of abuse and read offensive material because the Echo will not set up an accountable forum ( I mean one where you have to give your full identity to be able to join ). When I first came here, I expected to find ordinary people chatting about local events. Obviously, I didn\'t find that. But I objected to being told to pi ss off if I didn\'t like it ! Why should reasonable people have to leave a forum just because other unreasonable people say so ? So I joined the fray, and can see what a buzz some people must get out of it. However, as with all free-for-alls, quality suffers. Like a perverse \"Trueman Show\", this forum is phoney. But it must be forfilling some requirement, otherwise it wouldn\'t be available. I\'ve come and gone several times, hoping, each time I come back, to find things more civilised. But they never are, and no one seems interested in achieving that state. What a shame that it is a fact of life that a few bad apples turn the good ones bad, instead of the reverse. I have campaigned for fair play here, and lost. Every re-newed attempt to change the mood here has failed, despite the fact that many people have supported it. Obviously the Echo want a bear pit, and that is what they\'ve got. So, to quote those immortal \"Dragon\'s Den\" words : \"for those reasons, I\'m out\".
King Mush, Woolston says...
2:24pm Wed 28 Nov 07
her indoors, eastleigh says...
5:38pm Wed 28 Nov 07
Jeff Le Taxi wrote:little things please little minds
I love the comments as most are extremely funny, especially Denzil who cracks me up, its the only site other than saintsfun banter that i find remotely funny, its the moaners that should get a life, you dont own the internet you know!
Theresa, Shirley says...
9:32pm Wed 28 Nov 07
King Mush, Woolston says...
9:52pm Wed 28 Nov 07
Theresa wrote:Cynic is an old bird?
I read these chat room things quite a lot but I dont usually write anthing. I know Cynic ( and all the other things she calls herself )quite well personally. She does take it too seriously, but like she says everything in life cant just be for a laugh. The reason you lot get narked is because shes clever with words and makes you look stupid all the time.
Theresa, says...
11:37pm Wed 28 Nov 07
le chene, says...
1:01am Thu 29 Nov 07
Cynic, says...
11:01am Thu 29 Nov 07
le chene, romsey says...
4:32pm Thu 29 Nov 07
LG, southampton says...
4:53pm Thu 29 Nov 07
King Mush, Woolston says...
7:37pm today Thu 29 Nov 07
Cynic, says...
9:44pm Thu 29 Nov 07
King Mush, Woolston says...
11:16pm Thu 29 Nov 07
cupid, loveydovey says...
11:20pm Thu 29 Nov 07
King Mush, Woolston says...
11:31pm Thu 29 Nov 07
cupid, says...
12:13am Fri 30 Nov 07
Cynic, says...
12:15am Fri 30 Nov 07
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Hiram Hackenbacker, Tracey Island says...
9:12am Tue 27 Nov 07