Cripple stole groceries

Press, 17 August 1983, Page 19

Cripple stole groceries

PA Auckland The drug-related killing of a New Zealander, Julie Theilman, took its toll on her crippled sister, the District Court at Auckland heard yesterday. Lisa ’ Mary Theilman, aged 25, a proof reader, of Mount Eden, admitted stealing goods worth $22.28, the property of Foodtown Supermarkets, Ltd. Her lawyer, Mr A. Patel, said that four days before the offences were committed the body of Theilman’s sister, Julie, was found in Australia.

“My client and her mother were left to consider the gruesome, very violent and very lonely type of death Julie had,” counsel said.

Mr Patel said that the case gained a great deal of publicity and the. “intrusion” by the media took its toll on the defendant.

(The Stewart Royal Commission report on drug trafficking this year said Julie Theilman was killed by the drugs boss, Terry Clark, in the Blue Mountains of New South Wales in September, 1977. Her remains were found in August, last year.) Sergeant Gary Robertson said Theilman had hidden 12 grocery items in a bag under the seat cushion of her wheelchair on October 22, last year. '* He said it was her first offence. Judge P. M. Browne said he took into account submissions by Mr Patel and fined Theilman $75.