MONTH IN GAOL.

Auckland Star, Volume LXX, Issue 19, 24 January 1939, Page 9

MONTH IN GAOL.

WOMAN SENTENCED. STOLE TOASTER FROM SHOP* DBTECTIVE-SERGEAXT'S COMMENT, "This woman is recognised by the police as one of the worst shoplifters in Auckland," declared DetectiveSergeant MeHugh, in the Police Court to-day, before Mr. F. H. Levien, S.M., sentenced Doris Erleen Scott, married, to a month's imprisonment with hard labour. Though the woman strenuously denied stealing an electric toaster, worth 17/6, on November 16 last from a hardware sliop in Karangahape Road, the magistrate said there was ample evidence for her conviction. Mr. Levien also mentioned that Scott had sought to implicate another woman, who had had the moral courage to come to th<* courtroom and tell the truth. An assistant in the shop where the offence occurred, Alexander said he saw the accused, who was accompanied by another woman, looking at electric toasters which were on display. When he looked a little later he noticed that one of the toasters had disappeared. He went out of the shop and found the women standing at the entrance to a theatre, saw the accused walk into the lobby. There he found the toaster behind a display card. The women began* to run alonjr Karangahape Road, and witness chased thein, bringing them hack to the shop. A fortnight later he identified the accused in the street. Witness told Mr. Schramm, who appeared for the accused, that he did not actually see the toaster taken. To Mr. MeHugh. he said no other person had an opportunity of taking it. A woman who had been a girlhood friend of the accused related how Scott telephoned her on November 30 and told her she was in "a bit of a scrape." "She said I was the only one who could help lier." witness added. They met later at the accused's request, and Scott told her that she (Scott) had been accused of stealing a toaster. Scott denied that she had stolen it at all. "She asked me to swear that I was with her on the day she was accused of stealing," said the witness. "But on that day I was working—l'm sure I was not with her then." "Accused is recognised as being among the worst shoplifters in Auckland." said Mr. MeHugh. "That is the best I can say for her. She has been before the Court on eight different charges of theft."