SHOP GIRLS TEMPTED

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 March 1929, Page 3

SHOP GIRLS TEMPTED

WOMEN GANGSTERS’ WORK. Au allegation was made by two advocates of Marlborough Street Police Court that a gang of women were going round to various London shops tempting assistants to steal from their employers, and then, when they fell, threatening them with exposure. Two former shop assistants were before Mr. Cancellor, the magistrate. One, Rosa Clark (32), a saleswoman, of Applegarth Road, West Kensington, admitted stealing two corsets from Messrs. Selfridge and Co., Ltd., Oxford Street West, making a false entry on an approbation form, and falsifying one “No charge” docket. “She has been the catspaw of a gang of women,” said Mr. C. Grobel, prosecuting for Messrs. Selfridge. He added that the women —who, it was hoped, would be brought before the Court —having tempted her to let them have these corsets, terorrised her with threats of exposure if she did not keep up the system. They then kept the proceeds of some of the articles sent out on approbation and on exchange, giving Clark a small share of the proceeds. Alice Gertrude Clifton (32), a shop assistant, of Waddon, Croydon, then appeared in the dock, charged with stealing three pairs of shoes, of the total value of £lO 12s, from her employers, Messrs Marshall and Snelgrove, Ltd. She pleaded “guilty.” Mr. F. Freke Palmer, prosecuting in this case, said: “There is no doubt about it. There is gang of thieves going about ..London tempting girls employed in various shops to steal from their employers.” Clark was fined a total of £l6, with £8 costs. Clifton was fined a total of £lB, with £4 10s costs. It was stated that neither had been previously convicted.