Burglars in for big trouble after gypsy curse

An 85-year-old Bay man whose home was burgled as he lay in hospital is taking revenge - by placing an 18th-century gypsy curse on the thieves.
Rather than just relying on police, Bill White decided to cast a gypsy curse on whoever burgled his Pahoia home last week.
The curse was passed on to him more than four decades ago by his mother who learned it from a gypsy friend in England.
Mr White would not reveal the exact wording of the curse because legend has it that that would reduce its effectiveness. The curse has different effects depending on who casts it and who receives it.
"Back in England I heard of two men who committed suicide after finding the curse was on their heads," Mr White told the Bay of Plenty Times yesterday.
Mr White was in Tauranga Hospital being treated for a fall in his garage when burglars stole his belongings last Friday or early Saturday.
He was alerted to the raid - in which several household items, including a video camera and VCR were taken - after his family went to check on his home on Saturday.
Mr White said the invasion angered him.
"I was lying in the hospital thinking about the burglary when I remembered the old gypsy curse mum had passed on to me."
He recalled his mother had emphasised the importance of not uttering the magic words unless they were really needed.
"In this case, I believe this was a worthy situation."
Placing a curse on the thief or thieves gave him a sense of security, he said. Mr White was sure it would work.
A gypsy handbook gives examples of different wordings that can be used in curses. The curse has differing effects on people.
While the curse did not indicate a timeframe for punishment, Mr White said the thieves' time would come.
"It may happen sooner or it may happen later - but I can assure you it will happen.
"They better hope the police catch them before the curse does."