MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Evening Post, Volume CVII, Issue 19, 24 January 1929, Page 5

MAGISTRATE'S COURT

Mr. E. Page, S.M., presided at the Magistrate's Court to-day. One first offender for drunkenness was fined 10s, and Richard Cook, who had live previous convictions for drunkenness, was fined £3, in default fourteen days' imprisonment. A plea of guilty was entered by Annetta Esther Wilson, who was charged with thp theft of a lady's frock valued at £8 18s Gd, from Messrs. James Smith, Ltd. Chief Detective Ward stated that the accused, who was the wife of a labourer and who formerly resided in Christchurch, came to Wellington about 21st October last on a holiday, and while here went to James Smith's and committed the theft. The dress was unsuitable, and she sold it to another woman. She returned to Christchurch, aud on 21st December was before the Court on five charges of shoplifting, for which she served a sentence of twentyone days' imprisonment, being discharged on 10th January. ■ She then came to Wel- | lingtou to live. In the meantime, the stolen frock was'recognised, and the accused was interviewed yesterday and admitted the theft. The offence she now pleaded guilty to was committed prior to the offences at Christchurch. . She had two children, aged 7 aud 0 years respectively, it was stated on behalf of the accused that she had had a serious illness, and was iv danger of further illness.. The Magistrate said that the offence was lier first, and she had been sentenced for others. He convicted her and ordered her to repay the value of the frock within fourteen days. Default was fixed at one month's imprisonment.