GIRL'S THEFTS

Auckland Star, Volume LXXII, Issue 193, 16 August 1941, Page 10

GIRL'S THEFTS

LED VAGRANT LIFE

BORSTAL. FOR THREE YEARS

The depredations of an 18-year-old girl who, after leaving a good home, had been leading a vagrant life in the city, were described by Detec-tive-Sei-geant Nalder in the Police Court when Hazel Jervis Fawcett appeared before Mr. F. K. Hunt. S.M., on 18 charges of theft of 45 postal packets, clothing, a fur cape, shoes, jewellery and other articles, of a total value of £30 2/6. Mr. Lind Mitchell appeared for the girl, who pleaded guilty to all charges. About the beginning of May, said Mr. Nalder, the girl started to steal letters from different blocks of flats in the city. She had not worked since February last. "She stole hundreds of letters, but only 45 were recovered," continued Mr. Nalder. "Some of the letters were thrown into waste paper baskets and others were left in flats. The accused opened the letters in search of money, but as far as we can ascertain she only obtained a total of £2 in money. The girl cashed three postal notes and stole 10/ from another letter. These thefts began in May and went on right up until August 3, when accused was arrested in the bathroom of a city hotel. The letters she stole were mostly of a personal nature."

Detective-Sergeant Nalder added that accused was before the Children's Court in June of last year and was placed under supervision. Mr. Mitchell stated that the girl was a daughter of most respectable parents. He suggested that she be admitted to probation on condition that she spent the first six months in the Salvation Army Home. She had been 13 days in prison on remand.

The magistrate considered that accused required strict supervision, and ordered that she be detained in the Borstal for a period not exceeding three years.