WOMAN "FAGIN."

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 29, 4 February 1928, Page 3 (Supplement)

WOMAN "FAGIN."

FAMILY OF SHOPLIFTERS.

Five members of one family living at Nelson Road, Holloway, appeared in the dock at Westminister Police Court charged on remand with shoplifting in a body at Harrods. '"'hey were Lilian Grace Palmer, 45; her daughter, Constance, 25; her daughter-in-law; Dorothy Isabel, 22; and two sons, Reginald, 21, husband of the last named, and his brother, Leslie George, 15. It was described how the defendants loitered for a long time at the counters of various departments, the two sons close up on either side of their mother, and the girls looking around. The magistrate said the evidence against Dorothy Palmer and the boy Leslie was extremely suspicious, but there was a doubt, and they would be discharged. "My mother is not guilty," protested Constance from the dock. "I am the one who took the things." Mr. Gill: Ido not believe that. You are taking the responsibility on your own shoulders in order to shield your mother.

Detective Sergeant Thompson said there were three previous convictions against the mother. She seemed to be a sort of feminine Fagin. Her only other child, a boy of 12, was now on probation for stealing a bicycle. Mr. Gill sentenced Mrs. Palmer to six months' hard labour. He postponed his decision with regard to Constance and Reginald Palmer. A painful scene followed. As Mrs. Palmer was about to be removed her daughter Constance clung to her, and implored the magistrate to save her from prisou again. Inspector Willis lifted the mother bodily over his head, and walked out of the dock with her.