Fraudster tries to cash in on disaster

The Post reported on a storm emergency in the UK and, sadly, one woman’s attempt to profit from disaster.

“Lynmouth and an area of five miles around was last night cut off from telephone contact by a severe storm,” read the paper. “The thunderstorm began at 10.30pm and was over Lynmouth by 11pm.

“Two and a half hours later, heavy rain was still falling on Exmoor. An emergency squad of Royal Engineers was ordered to stand by, to watch for heavy trees that might be brought down through the river gorges.”

The article continued: “A 27-year-old housewife was jailed for 20 days at Paisley police court for taking fraudulent collections purporting to be on behalf of the Lynmouth Disaster Fund. Jean Watson admitted she induced 19 people to subscribe £22 5s 6d which she appropriated to her own use.”