THEFTS FROM SHOPS

Press, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22318, 4 February 1938, Page 7

THEFTS FROM SHOPS

CHARGES ADMITTED BY TWO WOMEN ACCUSED SENTENCED TO IMPRISONMENT A series of thefts from city shops by two women, Myrtle Cecilia K. Andrews and Myrtle Gladys Walklin, were admitted in the Magistrates Court yesterday morning, when the two accused appeared before Mr E. C Levvey, S.M. The accused, who were represented by Mr A. B. Hobbs, were jointly charged with the theft of a frock valued at 14s lid, and two bathing costumes from J. R. McKenzie, Ltd., stealing six penknives, the property of David McKee Bain, and the theft of two bathing costumes from Woolworths. Andrews was further charged with the theft of a handbag valued at 2s lid, from Woolworths, and Walklin was charged with receiving the handbag knowing the same to be dishonestly obtained. Both accused were sentenced to 14 days' imprisonment on the first charge, and on the other charges were convicted and discharged. An order was made for the return of the goods. Detective-Sergeant T. E. Holmes said that during the months of November and December the accused had been working together and committing thefts in various shops. Andrews was a single woman, but Walklin was married, and had four children. Both accused had been caught while committing theft in J. R. McKenzie, Ltd.

The accused were arrested on Christmas Eve, said Mr Hobbs, and ?ince then had been practically in a ttate of collapse Walklin had had considerable ill-health, and the family had Uved in the poorest circumstances. The goods stolen, with the exception of the frock, were all children's things. They had been taken with the idea of providing Christmas presents for the children. There were no previous convictions against either accused.