PROBATION GRANTED.

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 285, 2 December 1938, Page 13

PROBATION GRANTED.

SHOPLIFTER CAUGHT.

WOMAN'S SECOND OFFENCE.

The suggestion that her state of health might have had something to do with the offence was advanced by counsel for Annie Lyons, a married woman aged 42. who appeared before Mr. C. R. Orr Walker, S.M., yesterday for shoplifting.

Accused, for whom Mr. Selwvn Clarke appeared, pleaded guilty to a charge of stealing a woman's hat and two books of a total value of 13/ from a city store on November 2.1.

At 2.30 p.m. on Friday last, Raid Detective-Sergeant Xalder, accused was seen by an assistant to fold up two pattern books, and, after looking around, to place them tinder her arm with a parcel which she was . carrying. When accosted, she offered to pay for the books and then attempted to run away. She was detained and taken to the office, where she admitted stealing the hat from the same store.

"This woman lives with her husband and two children," added Mr. Nalder. "Hor husband is in good employment. Slie was once previously convicted for shoplifting in December of 1933, when •she was sentenced to 14 days' imprisonment."

"Th is offence is inexplicable and my client cannot suggest any motive for it,'' said Mr. Clarke. "But there is a possibility that her present state of health might have had something to do with it. Immediately following her first conviction she had to .undergo an operation. She has to enter hospital next -Monday for further operative treatment. On this occasion I would ask that'she be admitted to probation in order that she can rehabilitate herself. If that is done it will balance lier previous sentence which was for her first offence."

The magistrate admitted Mrs. Lyons to probation for two years and made it a condition that she is not to enter any store or shop unless accompanied by some person approved by the probation officer.