jewel thief

International Jewel Thief Doris Payne Sentenced To Five Years

It's the end of the line for international jewel thief Doris Payne. The charming octogenarian, who was known using her beauty and style to beguile jewelry store employees into accidentally handing over the goods, has been sentenced to five years in prison for her latest caper, walking in to a San Diego Macy's in January 2010 and walking out with a diamond ring worth nearly $9,000 that she did not pay for. Payne has admitted that she has stolen countless pieces of jewelry over more than six decades but in an interview with NBC San Diego she called the sentence unfair. She suffers from a lung disease and is concerned that she may go into respiratory failure.

Payne told NBC San Diego that she had wanted Queen Latifah to play her in the movie of her life. Halle Berry was attached to the project at one point although it's not clear if that movie is going forward. Payne's attorney is filing an appeal and Payne is hoping she can avoid prison for now and get medical attention. She expressed remorse and said she wants to get her book deal done and start a battered women's shelter.

Tags: doris payne, jewel thief

jewel thief

International Jewel Thief Doris Payne Sentenced To Five Years

Featured Galleries

HuffPost AOL Social News Most Popular

Also on AOL