EXTENSIVE PILFERING.

Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 172, 24 July 1890, Page 5

EXTENSIVE PILFERING.

A CONFIRMED OPIUM-EATER,

A most unusual case was heard ab the Police Courb this morning by the presiding justices, Messrs S. Y. Collins and H. Rees George. A respectable-looking elderly woman named Ellen "Walker, alias Thompson, was charged with haying committed a series of thefts from the residences of Mr Philio Phillips and Mr Louis Ehrenfried, Defendent pleaded guilty to having on the 6th of April stolen two silver spoons, value 15s, the property of Mr Phillips, also to having on the 14th of April stolen one silver spoon, valuD7s6d, the properby of Mr Phillips. She pleaded not guilty to having stolen one silver spoon on the 15th of April, and one book on the 18th of the same month, the properby of Philip Phillips. Tho accused furbher pleaded guilby to having on the 3rd of February stolen three fancy china saucers and one plated fork, value ss; and on the firsb of .April, two plates, value 2s, the property of Mr Louis Ehrenfried. She pleaded not guilty to stealing two silver spoons,value 10s, on the 10th December, and on the 31sb of'bhe same month two more silver spoons, both the property of Mr Louis Ehrenfried. Mrs Walkeralsopleaded guilty to having on the 26th of May stolen three pairs of gloves, value 2s, the property of Pearson Davidson. Evidence was given by Miss K. Niccoll, Mr M.'Phillips and Mr L. Ehrenfried regarding the. ownership of the articles.

Messrs Isaac Mendelson and John Mendoza, pawnbrokers, "deposed to the prisoner having pawned the articles in the name of Thompson. Detective Chrysbal deposed to recovering the articles.

Mrs Walker called her son to give evidence on her behalf. He deposed that his mother was a laudanum and opium-taker, and that she was, therefore, not really responsible for her actions. He had heard of her stealing when she had money in her pocket. He had supplied her with money whenever she wanted ib, and was willing to take her to his homo in the country and care for her.

Under the circumstances the Bench recorded conviction, and ordered the defendant to come up for sentence when called upon, the son to give £5 bond for her appearance, and also refunding to the pawnbrokers the amounts paid by them to his mother for the stolen articles.