FOURTEEN DAYS

Evening Star, Issue 21935, 23 January 1935, Page 14

FOURTEEN DAYS

WOMAN SHOPLIFTER SENTENCED OTHER CHARGES TO BE HEARD ['Per United Press Association.] CHRISTCHURCH, January 22. In the Alagistrate’s Court this morning Ellen Marion Alathcr, aged 33, a domestic servant, faced twenty-seven charges of theft from shops. It was alleged that; the offences covered the period between January 22, 1933, and December 4 last, and the value of the goods involved was £268 IGs. The articles exhibited in court included two bicycles, two fur coats, hats, dresses, stockings, shoes, and many other articles of men’s women’s, and children’s clothing. To eight charges the accused pleaded guilty, and to the others not guilty. Twenty of the twenty-seven charges were heard to-day. The accused was convicted on sixteen, and four were dismissed. She was sentenced to imprisonment for fourteen days on the first, sentence on the others being deferred until the other charges are heard to-morrow. In evidence the accused said that it was her custom to go to nearly every race meeting, sometimes as far away as Wellington. She had inside information about horses, and her profits from race betting must have amounted at least to ,£2O a year. She had not banked the money because it would have affected her widow’s pension. The Alagistrate: Won’t you have to refund to the Government the money you have had as widow’s pension? The Accused: No. It says on the paper that money earned must be put down; but not money won at races. I might have lost it again at other meetings. The Alagistrate: Earnings consist of money received from any source whatever. You, a woman with two children and receiving a widow’s pension, could afford two fur coats? Evidence was given by shopkeepers and their employees _ identifying the goods. In most cases identification was easy, but,_ especially in respect of smaller articles, witnesses could not be positive always that the goods had not been sold._ In all such cases the charges were dismissed.