CAUGHT STEALING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 153, 30 June 1934, Page 10

CAUGHT STEALING.

YIELDED TO TEMPTATION. MAN IN ILL-HEALTH. Caught shoplifting yesterday afternoon and later arrested, and charged with stealing several cakes of soap and a bottle of beef extract, of the total value of 10/, Albert Edward Woolley, labourer, aged 38, appeared before Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M., in the Police Court to-day. He pleaded guilty. Mr. J. J. Sullivan represented Woolley. Senior Detective Hall said accused was detected by an assistant in the Farmers' Trading Company store at 3.30 yesterday afternoon. He was taken to the manager's office, where he took the articles from his pockets. In asking for a chance,. he said he -was in ill-health and could not afford to pay for the things he required. "This man," added Mr. Hall, "is married and has three children. He is in bad health and on that account he was allowed his liberty after his arrest la,st night. He lias never been in any trouble before." "So far as the accused himself is concerned, this is a most unusual type of case," said Mr. Sullivan. "Woolley had a legitimate reason for being in the shop, as he went there to pay instalments on his furniture and his cycle. There is no doubt that he yielded to temptation when he stole the small articles. He suffers badly from pernicious anaemia, and I would ask your Worship not to send him to prison, or even to fine him., Probably the charge could be adjourned. He is only in inte"--nittent cmploj'ment." Counsel added that the manager of the company wished to withdraw the case this morning, but it was too lato. . Mr. Hunt: Well, I won't send him to gaol. He will be fined £1, but if he does this sort of thing again he will go to prison.