The fake lawyer and thief during Sarkozy's trial

It's the technique known as "the best way to go unnoticed is to get noticed"d Someone was pretending to be a lawyer in Paris, notably during the Sarkozy trial. She stole gowns and cash while wandering the courtrooms.

Everything suggested she was a lawyer. A woman in her thirties had been hanging around the corridors and courtrooms of the Paris tribunal for some time. Conversations within the legal community spoke of a 'colleague' who was stealing money and supplies in Paris. The lawyers were on high alert. They eventually became suspicious of a smiling and friendly colleague whom none of them had ever seen plead in court. And their suspicion paid off. During a recess in the middle of Nicolas Sarkozy's trial, she was caught red-handed (so to speak), after being followed.

Pickpocket diversion

The police apprehended her. Despite her protests, she was taken away. She eventually admitted her ruse: pretending to be a lawyer to rob people and real lawyers by asking them about the hearings in order to distract them while rifling through their pockets or briefcases. The investigation is being conducted by the police station of the 17th arrondissement in Paris. We assume she will be able to call upon a real lawyer to defend herself…

(MH with Olivier Duquesne – Sources: 7sur7 with Huffington Post and AFP – Picture: © picture alliance / PHOTOPQR/NICE MATIN/MAXPPP | Franz Chavaroche)