WOMAN’S THEFT

Grey River Argus, 15 August 1944, Page 3

WOMAN’S THEFT

TWO NIGHTGOWNS STOLEN The theft of two nightgowns, the property of Mrs. Elizabeth Fleming, and of a total value of £3 55., at Dobson on or about April 15, was admitted by Shirley Inez Hope, a man ried woman with two children, in the Magistrate's Court at Greymouth, yesterday. Mr. W. D. Taylor who appeared for defendant elected to oe dealt with summarily. Unfolding the circumstances surrounding the charge, Senior Sergeant G. H. F. Holt said that Mrs. Fleming, of Dobson, who some time in April 'missed two nightgowns, on July 31 noticed some of them, amongst the washing on defendant’s line. She took it back. Defendant then telephoned the' police, and informed them that one of her nightgowns had been stolen, and Mrs. Fleming had taken it. The police subsequently interviewed both of the women, and Mrs. Fleming identified her garment, upon which defendant who had used to visit Mrs. Fleming’s home, admitted having taken it. She had altered one in order to hide it. Mrs. Fleming was making no claim, added the Senior Sergeant. Defendant was at present on probation for a theft committed last November.

Mr. Taylor said that for a time Mrs. Fleming had lived at defendant’s home, and when she had shifted the nightgowns had been left. Defendant had known they were not hers, but had succumbed to the temptation to keep them. She was a married woman with two children aged two and three years. One could not escape that fact that it was a mean type of theft, but in view of her young family, he asked that she be dealt with leniently. “ I remember this young woman appearing before me last year,” commented the Magistrate, Mr. G. G. Chisholm, “that was also a mean type of theft having involved a neighbour’s ring. Probation was ordered then and the probation officer orders probation in this case in view of your young family. In ordinary circumstances. I would have no option but to send you to prison. I do not propose to do so in this case, but if you appear before me on any future occasion, I shall have no option but to do that. You must keep your hands off other people’s property. Your probation will be extended for two years, and an order will be made for the return of the stolen garments.”