SHOPLIFTING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIV, Issue 189, 12 August 1933, Page 10

SHOPLIFTING.

CHARGES DISMISSED.

"AMATEUR DETECTIVES."

ALLEGATION OF "FRAME-UP."

After hearing unusual evidence, the magistrate to-day dismissed charges against Doris Scott, aged 25, a married woman, of stealing two tablecloths and garments worth £1 9/8 from city stores. ° Detective-Sergeant O'Sullivan prosecuted, and Mr. F. W. Schramm appeared for accused, who denied the charges. Mrs. Annie Anderson said she was shopping in .the city, accompanied by her two sisters, on July 11, when she saw accused in a department store and aoain in Queen Street. She saw accused <ro to Shortland Street and saw certain articles in her possession. "Accused seemed surprised to sec me in the shop, said Mrs. Anderson. Mr. McKean: Why, fl there some feeling between you? —Not on iny part. Mr. Schramm: I put it to you that you and others have concocted this case as a "frame-up"? —No. Mrs. Ada McQuoid, sister of Mrs. Anderson, gave similar evidence. In reply to Mr. Schramm, witness denied that she wanted to be malicious towards the accused, but she admitted feeling against her, alleging that Mrs. Scott had "put statements around", about her. The witness declined to answer when the magistrate asked lier if her true name was McQuoid. Mr. Schramm: You are on probation now for shoplifting? —Mrs. Scott put it across me on that occasion. Mr. Schramm: Oh, I see, so you are putting it across her now ?—No. Accused's Denial. Mr. Schramm: Did you tell someone you were going to get Mrs. Scott into gaol? —No. Evidence was given by Olive Scott, sister of the two previous witnesses, that she actually saw accused take an article from a shop. A number of other witnesses gave evidence at considerable length. Detective Brady said that, with Detective Gillum, he visited accused's home on July 31. Accused told him she knew what he had called about, as she had heard that some women were trying to "frame" her. Accused denied stealing any articles and repeated that the whole case was a "frame-up."

Olga Rasniussen, called by the police, said she was with accused in various shops, but did not see lier take any articles.

"I submit that this is a deliberate attempt on the part of some of the witnesses for the prosecution to 'frame' my client," said Mr. Schramm. "The evidence given is so unsatisfactory that your Worship should dismiss the charge without calling on the defence. Of course my client will deny tile charges, as she did when first seen by the police."

Magistrate Dismisses Case.

The Magistrate: The main witnesses for tlio prosecution say they are not antagonistic to the accused, yet one actually told mc that she was anxious to see accused convicted for theft. There are improbabilities which cause me to view the evidence with suspicion. There is undoubtedly feeling between the principal witnesses for the prosecution and the accused —feeling which induced three or four of the women to play the part of amateur detectives and follow the accused in the city. If, they did Bee her steal an article from one shop they could have called a shop assistant, but they did not. The charges will be dismissed.