MAGISTRATE’S COURT Shoplifter Admitted To Probation

Press, Volume CIX, Issue 31881, 8 January 1969, Page 3

MAGISTRATE’S COURT Shoplifter Admitted To Probation

A woman who stole toys, cosmetics and cigarettes from four Christchurch shops on Monday afternoon was placed on probation for a year by Mr E. S. J. Crutchley, S.M., when she pleaded guilty to four charges of theft in the Magistrate’s Court yesterday. The Magistrate ordered the woman, Marion Rose Rowlands, aged 21, an unemployed laundry hand, to take psychiatric or medical treatment as directed while she was on probation. Detective Sergeant R. G. McMeeking said the police had received a complaint from the manager of Hay’s, Ltd, that a woman had been apprehended shoplifting.

When interviewed by a detective Rowlands frankly admitted stealing a toy kitchen scale set and a toy dartboard from the shop. When her bag was opened other articles were discovered and the defendant admitted three other charges of theft Rowlands admitted taking a carton of cigarettes and some batteries from Woolworths, some cosmetics from

Ballantynes, Ltd, arid a toy holster and belt set from D.1.C., Ltd. The total value of the property stolen was $l3. Asked by the Magistrate to explain the offences, the defendant said it was something she could not help. She said she had had help from doctors and had been to Borstal for similar offences. THREE CHARGES On charges of assaulting a police constable in the execution of his duty, damaging a wrist watch strap belonging to the constable, and using obscene language in a public place, Carl Henry Forsyth, aged 26, a lineman, was remanded on bail to January 14 to allow him to seek legal aid. The charges arose from an incident in Dickens Street on Monday night. REMANDED John James Johns, aged 46, a clothes presser, was remanded in custody to January 9 on ten charges of false pretences, and two charges of obtaining credit by fraud. No plea was taken.