WOMAN OF MEANS

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 24, 29 January 1927, Page 8

WOMAN OF MEANS

CAUGHT SHOPLIFTING

fine' imposed

(By Telegraph.) (Special to "The Evening Post.") AUCKLAND, This i)ay. A woman of means, Eileen Mary "Williams (29), caught yesterdayin the aai of stealing two pairs of silk stockings from Milne and Choyce, was'fined £10 by Mr. M'Kean, S.M., this morning. The accused pleaded guilty to the theft of the stockings, valuedat 19s, and also admitted taking a dress valued at £1 9s 6d, found in her bag when she was searched in th* manager's office. The accused's counsel said he had acted for the woman for some years, and this offence was the last thing of which he would have thought her capable; Her husband, a Government servant, could offer only one explanation of her conduct. ' A little time ago she j.had been kicked on the side of the head. The mark could still- be seen. It was thought possible that this injury might have affected her. -The woman had lead a useful life, and had done a lot of-good for the community. "This class of, offence is very serious," said the Magistrate. "It is difficult to detect, and may not lightly be passed over. It could not be said that she yielded to a sudden temptation. She did not steal only one thing." Counsel: "It may have been a mental aberration. 5' • •'■'". , ■The Magistrate: "I. am afraid, the circumstances indicate something different, and I don't know that I should not impose a term of imprisonment." After considering the case, Mr. M'Kean decided to -fine the' woman 1 £10, in default 14 days' imprisonment "She- has £300 in the saving bank, ' said the senior detective, when counsel'asked for time to pay. The Magistrate: "As. it is Anniversary Day, I-will- allow till Monday to pay." ':■'-. -hi answer to an application for the suppression of the name, the Magistrate said that it would be very little punishment he suppressed the name, and ne refused to do so.