SHOPLIFTING

Auckland Star, Volume LXVI, Issue 139, 14 June 1935, Page 8

SHOPLIFTING

PREVALENCE IN CITY.

MAGISTRATE'S WARNING

The prevalence of shoplifting in the city was again referred to by Mr. W. R. MeKean, S.M., in the Police Court this morning, when two women appeared on theft charges. Muriel Annie Redgrave pleaded guilty to a summons charge of stealing, on June o, lib of butter, a tin of jam, meat paste, some dentifrice and a cake of soap, valued at 4/11, the property of the Farmers' Trading Company. Senior Detective Hall said defendant had bought several articles from the shop, but when accosted she admitted taking tho goods mentioned in the charge. She was 43 years of age, and in poor circumstances. Nothing was previously known against her. Major Gordon made a strong appeal for Mrs. Redgrave, who was a woman with an unblemished character. Her husband was earning a very small wage. "The department at the Farmers where tide theft was committed was, I understand, established to help people bv selling at low prices," said the magistrate. "And thie is what happens." Mrs. Redgrave was fined £1, or seven days' imprisonment. No Excuse. "There is not even the excuse of poverty iii this ease," eaid the magistrate in fining Madge McQuillan £2 and costs 10/ for stealing a tin of asparagus, tin of tongues and tin of salmon, worth 3/3, from the Fanners' Trading Company. Mr. Allan Moody appeared for defendant, who pleaded guilty.

Mr. Moody said Mrs. McQuillan had been a customer at the shop for years, and on the day in question she had purchased {roods. She was at present being attended by a doctor for her nerves. It is no doubt a case of sudden temptation.

"I am afraid I will have to stop imposing lines in these cases and inflict terms of imprisonment instead," said Mr. McKean after fining defendant £2.