"STOLE FOR THRILL”

Evening Star, Issue 22890, 23 February 1938, Page 2

"STOLE FOR THRILL”

WELL-TO-DO WDMAH SOME AMAZING STATEMENTS “Wife of a well-known city man,”was the description applied 'to a 60-year-old woman who, at West London, was stated to be the author of a remarkable statement read in court. The woman, Mrs Minnie, Elizabeth Fairman, of Whyteleafe, Burred, was remanded in custody charged with stealing 32 articles from 11 departments of a Kensington store. It was alleged that when she was arrested Airs Fairman made the following statement: — “I have read about these things. It was the excitement of doing it. It is the first time I have ever done this, and I think, as a first offender, they ought to let mo off. “ It was a little whim. It was rather daring. It is easier to steal an umbrella than pay for it. It was so easy and a little exciting.” • Mr J. A. Morley, prosecuting, declared Mrs Fairman was a woman or some position, the daughter of a solid-' tor. She went deliberately on a wholesale shoplifting expedition armed with a gladstone bag. • “ There is no reason why she should steal. She has been in poor health for some considerable time. She bears an. excellent character,” stated Mr A. Grimes, defending. . _ ' , The magistrate, Sir Gervais Rentoul, declared he found it almost impossible to believe it was a first offence. “ It strains my credulity almost he- 1 vend limits to imagine a woman on her first attempt at shoplifting would steal from 11 departments of a store, he commented. „ . " As stated, Mrs Fairman was remanded in custody. • . '