TEA SHOP FRAUDS

Evening Star, Issue 17850, 22 December 1921, Page 9

TEA SHOP FRAUDS

About the meanest method of fraud that could well bo imagined was revealed when Kate Robinson, described as a clerk, engaged in the city, was charged at the Guildhall recently with obtaining credit at Messrs Lyons’ restaurant in London-wall by fraud, and, further, with being on tho premises for an unlawful purpose. Counsel for the prosecution said it was common knowledge that when a customer was served with refreshment the waitress supplied a voucher taken from a, bool: with a counter-foil; but it was possible, if tho customer were that way inclined, to move from one (.able to another in a different part of the depot, order a cup of tea, and get another voucher for a small amount, and then when passing out hand to tho cashier the -smaller voucher and -money. The defendant in this case had been kept under observation, and had been seen on three occasions to commit these paltry frauds. One one occasion she had a, meal costing 2s 2d, on another 2s, apd on the third a meal for 2s 7d; but on each occasion she gave up a voucher for 2d. Counsel representing tho accused pleaded guilty, and described it a.s a. very sad case. The defendant had only recently got married, and her husband almost immediately fell out of work. She was in highly respectable employment in the city, and at the time she was stopped she had over £2 in her pocket—her wages. She however, was owing rent, and money for food, and wanted to pay these debts. The alderman imposed a fine of 40s.