Woman Gaoled For Thefts From Store

Press, Volume CIV, Issue 30764, 31 May 1965, Page 5

Woman Gaoled For Thefts From Store

(New Zealand Press Association)

NEW PLYMOUTH, May 30. 1 A former manageress of a t Stratford store, Mary Deidre s Curtis, aged 44, was sentenced to six months’ im- i prisonment and recommended 1 for deportation when she appeared before Mr Justice . Tompkins in the Supreme 1 Court in New Plymouth. ' Curtis was found guilty by a jury last week on two of five charges of theft as a servant. For Curtis, Mr R. Mori said she was quite irresponsible in money matters. She had committed offences in Australia in 1952 and 1954, and although she was sentenced to prison terms, the offences ' were considered venial enough for the Australian 1 court to place her on a good ' behaviour bond. Mr Mori said Curtis had • been held in custody for six I months before being sen- : tenced, and subjected to t tiring travel between New Plymouth and Auckland.

However, she had brought this on herself by breaking a bail bond in Auckland. He asked the judge to take into account “the unusually long period of remand.” The Crown prosecutor (Mr J. P. Quilliam) said that although Curtis had been in custody for a considerable period, the proper steps had been taken in bringing her to trial. His Honour said he viewed the charges seriously and told Curtis that she used a position of trust to carry out the thefts. The thefts were carefully planned to enable her to cover up afterwards. He said Curtis came to New Zealand with no other i intention but to prey on the I community. “I can find little in the I probation officer’s report to : excuse you. It is quite • obvious that New Zealand > does not want people such as r you,” he added, recommend- . ing Curtis for deportation.