CHRISTMAS PICKINGS

Evening Star, Issue 15065, 23 December 1912, Page 6

CHRISTMAS PICKINGS

PETTY SHOPLIFTING. A prepossessing young married woman—Winifred Hanan by name—appeared in the Police Court this morning on a charge of having stolen from Mr Braithwaite's shop on Saturday night a sponge valued at 4s 6d and a trinket case valued at Is 6d. She entered a plea of "Not guilty." Chief-detective Herbert said that the accused and two other women were in the shop, and the proprietor's wife saw accused take one or the articles charged and put it in her pocket. When taxed with it she first denied it, but under pressure she produced the sponge, and at the time other articles dropped on the floor. Detective Connolly was sent for, and arrested her. She was a married woman, who lately came from the South. Her husband was a laborer, and was now in town. The Magistrate (Mr Haselden), on finding that accused was unrepresented by counsel, asked her where her husband was. The woman replied: "At work." ■ Mr Haselden: Does he care so little about the case as to leave you here by yourself ? Accused: He had to go to work. Chief-detective Herbert said that the husband had " bailed her out" and knew the circumstances.

Mary Braithwaite, wife of complainant, said she was in the shop on Saturday night at 9.10, and saw accused with two other women. Witness saw her put the sponge in her pocket, and accused her of it. She denied it at first, but when witness sent for her husband the accused produced the sponge, became very abusive, and threatened to strike her. Witness had to get assistance, and accused was taken to the office.

Chief-detective Herbert: What happened to her companions when vou accused-her?

Witness: They went away. Elva Williams, an assistant, said that when Mrs Braithwaite took accused by the arm she (accused) dropped the trinket produced. Isabella Lyon, another assistant, not only saw the sponge in accused's possession, but picked up a number of articles, all of which belonged to a different department. Detective Connolly said that when Mr Braithwaite related the circumstances in the presence of accused she said: "I admit having the sponge in my hand, but I do not know anything about the other articles." Accused had little to say and no evidence to call in rebuttal of the charge. " I had the sponge in my hand, but never put it in my pocket," she said.

The Magistrate: It is a marvellous thing that her husband has not come here or got someone to represent her. • • . I would like to know something about her—whether this is her first lapse from honesty. Chief-detective Herbert: She came from Invercargill a few months ago, wnere her husband acted as a billiardmarker. This is the first time they have come under our notice.

A fine of £5, in default one month's imprisonment, was inflicted, and the Magistrate advised her to send for her husband (who had already deposited the sum in bail) to come and pay the fine.