SHOPLIFTING.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 299, 17 December 1937, Page 8

SHOPLIFTING.

LABOURER CONVICTED. GIVEN ANOTHER CHANCE. A pair of ladies' slippers and four pairs of socks, of a total value of 13/4, stolen by George Charles Beeston yesterday, brought him to the dock in the Police Court to-day. Beeston, a labourer aged 35, for whom Mr. J. J. Sullivan apeared, pleaded guilty. "v According to Detective - Sergeant Walsh, beeston, while in a Queen Street departmental store at 4.30 yesterday afternoon, attracted the attention of a floorwalker. The latter saw Beeston take a pair of slippers and place them under his coat. When detained in the store, Beeston was also found to be in possession of the socks, which he had hidden under his coat. A married man and a waterside worker, Beeston had never been in trouble before.

Mr. Sullivan said Beeston went into the shop to make some legitimate purchases, but unfortunately after being paid yesterday he was under the influ" ence of liquor. Usually a sober man and highly respectable, while in liquor he yielded to a sudden temptation. "As this was not the usual vicious case of shoplifting, I would ask your Worship to deal with him leniently on this occasion in view of the circumstances I have mentioned," counsel added.

In convicting and ordering Beeston to come up for sentence if called upon within six months, Mr. C. R. Orr Walker, S.M. said he hoped this would not be taken as a precedent by others who might offend. Although this was lieeston s first offence, shoplifting was serious and there was much going on.