STOLEN FROCKS

Greymouth Evening Star, 31 July 1929, Page 8

STOLEN FROCKS

WOMAN WHO OWNS PROPERTY. SYDNEY, July 13. “This woman has a beautiful home, a maid, a motor car, two lovely children, and an indulgent husband, with a very substantial income,” said counsel for May McLaughlin, 35, who appeared at the Central Police Court yesterday on a charge of having stolen six frocks, an evening cloak, and a jumper, valued at £37, from Sydney Snow, Ltd. Sergeant Napper (police prosecutor) said that there were several previous convictions against defendant, who was fined £lO for shoplifting in December, 1924,'and sentenced to 12 months’ imprisonment with light labour in February, 1928. For larceny from the person, she was' sentenced to three months’ imprisonment at the Melbourne Petty Sessions in April 1926.

“It is absolutely inexplicable,” declared Air Beeby, for defendant. “It is apparently a question of lack of mental control. Unfortunately, nfy client’s husband will be called upon to bear the brunt. He is a well-known business man, who owns a good deal of property in Victoria. Mr M'cLaughJin was visiting, Sydney with his wife who also has considerable property in her own name. At her home in Melbourne she has everything a woman could desire —a wireless set, a piano, servants, a garden; every luxury, in fact.” Sergeant Napper said that defendant sallied forth on her shoplifting expeditions with a camouflaged box.. “The intent to steal is formed in her mind before she enters the shop,” he added. Mr Cohen, S.M., fined defendant £3O, in default three months’ imprisonment. “It is evident that gaol has failed to cure her, remarked the magistrate.