Stolen clothes found in flat—police

Press, 5 October 1985, Page 6

Stolen clothes found in flat—police

A policeman said he found “massive quantities of clothing” at the flat of a woman who had been apprehended that day for shoplifting, the District Court heard yesterday. The woman has denied 13 charges of stealing 327 items of clothing and cosmetics of a total value of $8968. Judge Pain continued interim suppression of name to protect others from being affected, and on medical grounds. The offences are alleged to have taken place between March 1 last year and March 1 this year. Constable B. P. Wilson said that he was called to the main office at Riccarton Mall where the defendant had been apprehended for shoplifting. At his questioning, she admitted stealing items of clothing which had been removed from her bag. The defendant was upset and he decided to take her home rather than to the police station, Constable Wilson said. On entering her flat he noticed two clothes hangers with about six items of clothing on them, hanging on the bedroom door. On further questioning she admitted to having other property in the flat that she

had not paid for.

In the bedroom he found “massive” quantities of clothing and a large amount of cosmetics. Every coat hanger in the wardrobe had at least two items of clothing on it. Most of the clothing appeared to be new and unworn, Constable Wilson said. Further examination of the room revealed two suitcases full of “apparently new” clothes, as well as items, including cosmetics, in boxes and drawers. Women’s, children’s, and men’s clothing was discovered and the women’s clothes varied in size. Another officer was called to assist with the sorting of the clothing and the defendant indicated to Constable Wilson which of the items she had stolen. He estimated about half of the clothing and cosmetics in the room had been identified by the defendant as being stolen by her.. She told him that most of the items had been taken from shops in the Riccarton Mall in the last six to 12 months. The items, numbering about 330, were then taken back to the mall for further identification. After this had been done, Constable Wilson said 34 items were left which were

not identified as having been stocked by shops in the mall. These items were later valued at $llBO. Under cross-examination by Mr B. D. Kinley, Constable Wilson said that no written statement was made at the time. He was adamant that the defendant was present in the room identifying the items. He made a particular practice of ensuring the resident of a property was in the same room as a safeguard in possible claims later of missing articles. He was also adamant that the defendant had admitted stealing the items. The defendant said she remembered little of the events at the mall the day she was apprehended for shoplifting, and felt as if she was “floating.” The defendant asserted that all the clothing and cosmetics she was accused of stealing had been bought by herself or were gifts. Evidence was also given yesterday by seven prosecution witnesses, most of whom were employers of shops in the Riccarton Mall. Each identified items of clothing and cosmetics taken from the defendant’s home which were stocked at their shops. The case is proceeding.