“DRUNKEN PRANK”

Northern Advocate, 3 May 1934, Page 5

“DRUNKEN PRANK”

THREE YOUNG WOMEN IN DOCK. PLACED ON PROBATION, (Per Press Association. —Copyright.) WELLINGTON, This Day. Submissions that the theft of the Jewellery was the result of a “drunken prank,” that the accused wore not. possessed of a criminal mind, and that there was an entire absence of mens rea, were advanced by counsel in the Wellington Magistrate’s Court yesterday, when three young married women were charged with the theft of five rings and a necklace belonging to the wife of Sfpiadron-Leader 0. L, Stedman, of the Wellington Aero Club. ' The acetiaad were Valina Binden (Mr 0. C. Kent), Mona Slnand Eileen Johnston (J. D. Willis). It was stated on behalf of the accused that they had taken the rings and necklace while at a party at th n Stedman’s house, not knowing what they were doing. Realising the position later, they endeavoured to return {he articles, and actually handed them over to George Alexander Low, a canvasser, aged 111, to post. The rings were not received by the Btoilmans. The women chose to be dealt with summarily, and were placed on probation for two years. ' Low, who was also eharged with theft, elected to be tried in the Supreme Court,