Let off for career pickpocket

A career pickpocket who targeted a woman celebrating the Queen’s birthday was spared jail despite repeatedly failing to comply with court orders. John Maugham, 38, ripped the purse from Angela Morlen’s handbag as she enjoyed the Queen’s official birthday celebrations on The Mall. Ms Morlen shouted after the thief, he was caught and the purse was eventually returned, explained prosecutor Robert Colover. Maugham has 76 previous convictions involving 145 offences, mainly for theft, Southwark Crown Court heard. Turning to Maugham’s…