PROBATION FOR SHOP LIFTER.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19715, 4 September 1929, Page 8

PROBATION FOR SHOP LIFTER.

YOUNG WOMAN'S SERIES OF THEFTS. [THE PRESS Special Serrice 3 AUCKLAND, cse-prember 3. Dorothy Blade, aged 23, the youn;: sLoplirter who admitted .stealing over iGO worth of goods irom various shops in the city during the past three months, appeared at the Magistrate's Court this morning tor sentence. She hung her head and hid her face beneath the collar of her overcoat. Shepleaded guilty to four charges of stealing goods, comprising women's wearing apparel and other articles, of a total value of Jil-t 7s. from four well-known Auckland department stores. Chief-Detective Hammond said prisoner was a single woman. She would not say whether she had any relatives in New Zealand or not. "This girl has been employed for some time in a Queen street cake shop,' 1 said thi-Chief-Detective. "During her lunchhour for three months past she would visit shops, especially on half-price and sale days, and help herself liberally to goods. On August 26th she was caught in the act of stealing a jersey jumper irom a Karangahape road store. When u detective visited the room she occupied in Ponsonby road he found all sorts of clothing and articles, which she later admitted she stole from various shops, l>he had about 15 pa.iri of silk stockings, which would cost between 12s <xl and 15s per pair. Of cours'-* she says she bought these."' Major Annie Gordon, female Proba r.ion Officer, said the case was an exceptional one. "The girl".-. moraJ character has been excellent. She never visits picture shows or dance ha!is. and j I am at a loss to noconnt for her thefts from these shops. Her people are highlv respectable, and 1 would suggest that your Worship, instead of sending her to the Borstal Institution. shouid. place her on probation, the first year to he spent in the Salvation Army Home." Mr Hunt decided to take the course reoon;mended, and fixed the term of probation at two voars\ The young wpmsn wiil spend the first half of it in the Home.