Christchurch earthquake victims rip off rescuer

Norma Loomes. Photo / Christchurch Star

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A Christchurch woman says she was ripped off by earthquake victims she took into her home.

Norma Loomes, 62, thought she was doing the right thing this week when she offered rooms for the family of four - two adults, their son and a pregnant daughter - in her Phillipstown house.

They had been staying at the Linwood Welfare Centre after being forced out of their earthquake-shattered home.

Mrs Loomes gave the family somewhere to stay, cooked them scones and enjoyed their company.

But the Good Samaritan evicted them yesterday after returning home to find her house had been searched and cosmetics and jewellery were missing. A bracelet, her daughter's birthday present, was also gone.

Mrs Loomes was irate and confronted the woman.

"She told me to stop yelling, it was nothing to get upset about, but I went and got everybody out of bed and told them to leave."

After Mrs Loomes evicted them, she found the bracelet in the bed of one of the family members.

"I just felt empty and distraught. I will not be taking in any more people or helping out."