A FEMALE PICKPOCKET.

Evening Star, Issue 8084, 7 December 1889, Page 2

A FEMALE PICKPOCKET.

At this morning's hitting of tho Cii.ty folicd Court (Messrs J. Logan and T. M. Wilkihsofi presiding) a respectably dressed woman harried Annie Tunny [was charged, with stealing) oil tlte6thiDst., a purse, containing 10j 6d, tbt? rJroriefcty of MarV Anh.TdaJ; Mr W. Stout defended, and said he was instructed to plead guilty, tinder the following circurrntanccß i—Accuf.bd had v arrived mDtincdjii two (lays ago, b[ivipj;,.travelled frorh, Ohrjr.jj. phurch !n search of her husband, who alio believed had journeyed to Duncdin. She had b'en unable to discover his whereabouts, and, in consequence of not being acquainted with anyone hero, was comparatively speaking friendless She did not possess any money, and was tempted to steal the purse. She was slightly under the influence of liquor at the time she committed the offence. 'lho clumsy manner in which the theft had been committed showed that she was a stranger to the business. Mr Logan: "Was the theft committed in a clumsy manner ? Mr Stout: Yes, your Worship, for sho was detected in the act.

Mr Logan did not think that was proof of clumsy stealing. Mr Stout said that when given over to the police accused Rave the purao up readily. It was her first offence, and it was not a suitable caso whero Accused should be sent to gaol, so ho would ask the Bench to deal leniently with her, and bind her over in her own recognisance for her futnre good behaviour. She had no friends hero, and simply came to Dunedin to find her husband.

Sergeant O'Neill said that about half-past three o'clock yesterday afternoon prosecutrix was standing in Princes street looking at the shop of Mr Hyams when accused came up and stood alongside her looking into the window of the shop. Shortly afterwards prosecutrix felt Bomeono touching her dress, and afterwards found that her purse had been taken from her dress pocket. Accused disappeared, but was Btcn to enter the shop of Mrs Gill, which was opposite. She was then wearing an ulster, but when she reappeared a moment afterwards prosecutrix noticed that the ulster was rollod round her arm. Pu»suit was given, and accused was found crouching in a corner near the gaol. When charged with the theft she denied having committed the offonce, and in answer to a question said she camo from Christchurtih. Witness asked her what street she resided in at Christchurch, and sho replied "Piinces street." As a matter of fact, there was no street in Christchurch so named. She could not, or would not, state where sho was staying at Dunedin. She, however, admitted that she had been staying at an hotel, but could not givo tho locality. Her statement to the effect that she came from Christchurch was open to doubt, and it was believed that shu came from the other side. Sho said sho had neither friends nor money, and yet she was ablo to retain counsel. Someone must have been looking after her, and ho would remind their Worships of tho numerous larconios that had been reported lately. Mr Stout csnsidered it most unfair that tho police ehould mako such statements. They supposed, because accused's statement that sho ra>ne from Christchurch was not corroborated, that sine came from Melbourne. The Benoh thought it would be more satisfactory if accused went into tbo box and gave evidence. They would be glad to hear her mako a statement that would clear herself. Mr Stout Baid that there was no uso accused giving evidence, as her statements could not be corroborated. The Bench said that under the circumstances they must pass sentence. Tho police knew notiiiDg about accused, and they (tho Bench) had nothine to guide them. Mr Stout said that when the police knew nothing againßt accused persons that was generally held to be in their favor. The Bench thought that argument was not applicable to the present case, and sentenced accused to one month's imprisonment.