GUILTY OF THEFT.

Auckland Star, Volume LV, Issue 248, 18 October 1924, Page 43 (Supplement)

GUILTY OF THEFT.

A STUDENT'S LAPSE. YIELDED TO SUDDEN TEMPTATIOX. A young lady student of the Auckland Training College appeared before Mr F. K. Hunt at the Police Court this morning charged with stealing three purses, containing sums of money totalling in all £1 l/(i, the property of persons unknown. The accused, who was 20 years of age, tearfully pleaded guilty to the three charges preferred against her. Chief Detective Cummings said that thefts extending over a long period had been reported from the Auckland University. A watch was set, and accused was caught in the act of extracting a purse from the pocket of another student's cloak in the cloak room. She then admitted having taken two other purses. Mr. Tong, who appeared for accused, said that her case was a most unfortunate one. She was one of a family of seven, and her people were in very poor circumstances. She was in receipt of a salary of £1 17/6 per week, and out of that sum she had to pay her board and lecture fees, and. in addition, had to buy her books. Recently she underwent a serious operation at the hospital, and being left without any money accused yielded to a sudden temptation while on the threshold of her educational career. Accused was a clever girl, and if convicted on the charges of theft she would lose her livelihood. Mr. Hunt: Well, I don't think she should be a teacher if she is going to steal. Mr. Tong: Well, I am sure, your Worship, that the mere appearance of accused before you this morning will be a lesson to her. Counsel then asked that accused should be given the benefit of the privileges of section 02 of the Justices of the Peace Act. Mr. Hunt: Yes. I will do that. The charges will be dismissed under section 92. But if any others come before mc for stealing from their fellow students T will give them 14 days in Mount Eden. Don't you think I am going to obey that new rule about the suppression of first offenders* names that you read of in the papers. Only in rare cases, where the offender is young, do I suppress the name."