SALES FEVER

Evening Star, Issue 22772, 6 October 1937, Page 1

SALES FEVER

THEFTS ADMITTED Described as a case of sales fever, the facts concerning the theft of a frock yesterday from a city shop were given in the Police Court this morning, when a woman, whose name was suppressed, was charged with the theft of the garment, valued at 12s 6d. Her daughter, whose name was also pressed, was charged with the theft of sewing silk valued at 9s. Both pleaded guilty. After hearing the facts of the case, Mr J. It. Bartholomew, fe.M., remarked that in the circumstances he felt justified in dealing in an exceptional manner with the accused, and the charges were dismissed. . Chief-detective Young said that the mother had attended a sale in a city shop yesterday, and her conduct had attracted the attention of a shopwalker. She was seen to go into another shop, where she purchased a pair of shoes. She left the parcel along with another containing the frock at the latter shop. The frock was afterwards identified as one that had been stolen. When she went hack to the shop to collect her parcels she was followed home and interviewed. She admitted the offence, but nothing else was found in the house that was recognised as stolen property except a quantity of sowing silk belonging to her daughter. Prom -inquiries made of her employer it was learned that the reels of silk had been stolen over a period. “ This can best bo described as a case of sales fever,”- added the Chief Detective. ■ , Mr J. G. Warrington, who appeared for the two accused, said that the firm from which the frock was taken had just started a sale, and the mother had made some purchases in the shop. Later, while examining some frocks, she yielded to temptation and took one. There was nothing of the bold criminal defying detection about the women—-it was just the act of a foolish woman who was suddenly tempted. Her husband was in a good position, and there was no want in the home. The mother had made a full statement to the police,

and both she and her daughter were making a voluntary appearance. As a result of the publicity which would be given the case-the husband might find it necessary to shift from the neighbourhood in which they lived. In view of the small amount involved and for the sake of the husband and the two accused, who had a clean record, he asked for the suppression of their names. This could he termed as a distressing case, said the Magistrate. He felt justified in dealing with the accused in an exceptional manner. The cases would bo dismissed under the Offenders’ Probation Act, and the names of the accused suppressed..