BY FALSE PRETENCES

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 146, 17 March 1934, Page 9

BY FALSE PRETENCES

Woman Obtains Groceries PATHETIC DUNEDIN CASE — In the Dunedin City Police Court on Wednesday a young married woman, publication of whose name was prohibited, appeared befqre Mr. J. It. Bartholomew, S.M., and pleaded guilty to having obtained by false pretences groceries valued at 7/11J from Mowat and Co, and similar goods valued at 9/< from Peter Skinuer, by representing that they were for Cornelius Moss, who would call and pay for them. Detective-Sergeant Doyle said that in January last accused called at Mowat’s store and obtained goods In the manner set out in the charge, repeating the offence a week later at Mr. Skinner’s store. Mr. Moss, of course, knew nothing about the matter. When interviewed accused told the police that when she committed the offences her condition was desperate and that she was forced to act as she did to obtain food for herself, her child, and her husband. There was every reason to believe her statement, for her baby, which was only 10 months old, was very poorly nourished, and when her home was visited there was not a scrap of food to be found, although the house was spotlessly clean. During February her who was a relief worker, gave her £2/5/-, of which £2 went in rent, so that it was difficult to know how she existed at all. The magistrate characterised the case as a most pathetic one, and said it was obvious that accused had acted under the impulse of sheer necessity. In view of the probation officer’s report and of the circumstances he would not enter a conviction, but would adjourn the case for 12 months, accused to remain under the care of the probation officer during that period. '