YOUNG WOMAN’S THEFTS

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLVIII, Issue 3527, 21 August 1926, Page 3

YOUNG WOMAN’S THEFTS

THOUSANDS OF POUNDS EMBEZZLED. Auckland, August 19. Leonie Evelyn McMahon, aged 23, appeared before Air. J. W. Poynton, S.M., in tlje Magistrate’s Court, on twenty-two charges of theft of goods valued at £538 from various shops between February and .July. It was stated that accused was a single woman, of good secondary education, and competent in music and painting. Some time ago she was employed in a clerical position by a well-known New Zealand firm, and while in their employ embezzled Sqine thousands of pounds. With this money she bought two residences, one in the city and the other at a seaside resort. Both Avere elaborately furnished. She also purchased a five-seater car. When she was found out she handed all the property to the firm she had victimised. The next , day accused’s seaside residence was burned, together with its contents. Since coming to Auckland accused had done little work, and had stayed at leading hotels in the city. At those hotels thefts were reported frequently. The Magistrate sentenced accused to reformative detention for three years, remarking that if she showed signs of improvement she might he liberated on license.