MALE SHOPLIFTER

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 119, 22 May 1945, Page 6

MALE SHOPLIFTER

REFUNDS ON STOLEN GOODS

BARMAN SENT TO PRISON

Not only did, Gordon, Alexander Dunlop (39), a barman, steal goods from a city departmental store ; on two occasions, but also he - twice took the stolen goods back to the store and obtained refunds on them. This was disclosed by DetectiveSergeant Fell in the Police Court this morning when Dunlop pleaded guilty to charges of stealing a. bedspread worth £2 9/6 on March 14, and two singlets valued at £1 15/6 on April 20. He also' admitted. two further charges of false pretences by obtaining sums of £2 9/6 and 17/9 and another of attempting to obtain 17/9. Detective-Sergeant Fell said that Dunlop concealed the bedspread under his coat and left the store. A couple of days later, finding himself short of money, he returned to the stor» and obtained a refund by stating that his sister had bought the bedspread and did not want it. On the second occasion Dunlop bought some socks and stole the singlets. Later he returned and told the same story about his sister buying the goods and not wanting them. Dunlop was given a refund. "The third time he returned to the store with one of the singlets and some of the socks and asked for a refund, an assistant recognised Dunlop as the man who had previously called and given different names, so she informed the manager," added Mr. Fell. "He did not let a refund this time. The police were called and Dunlop admitted the offences. A single man who has been earning £6 net weekly, Dunlop has recently been squandering, his money on drink. He has previously been 'before the Court on a number of occasions." "A Rarity" Appearing for accused, Mr. K. C. Aekins said male shoplifters were a rarity and did not commit offences in the same "cold-blooded fashion as did the female of the species, but only when they were in liquor. "I think Dunlop, while a barman, has been consuming too much ot the wares he has been selling, added counsel.- Mr. Aekins suggested that, if given another chance, Dunlop would do well if made to abstain from taking liquor. . "These offences were delibei ate and not clever," said the magistrate, Mr. J. Morlirig. "If he had not been caught the third time he would have carried on. He has been treated with leniency in the past, but now he will have to be punished. On one charge Dunlop was sentenced to one month's imprisonment, to be followed by 12 months reformative detention. On the others he was convicted and discharged.