GIRD BURGLAR SET FREE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18520, 3 October 1923, Page 10

GIRD BURGLAR SET FREE.

THEFTS WITHOUT PURPOSE.

FRENCH NOVEL'S INFLUENCE IET . TELEGRAPH. — "■ CORRESPONDENT.) '• ■;///, WELLINGTON, Tuesday.' The case of the '■/ girl, Marion Jean Lewis, who ; pleaded guilty to entering premises and committing several thefts of household property which she secreted in her bedroom, was concluded before* Mr. Justice MacGregor ', at the Supreme Court this morning, -when the prisoner was brought up for sentence. Evidence in connection with the case was given >Sast week' when His Honor remanded* prisoner pending the report of the -probation officer. . '-~, ■ ,

-Mr. , Stevenson, who appeared for the girl, said that when a crime was committed, a motive must be looked for. In this case the motive passed all ; understanding.; Her father was a vary highlyrespected citizen and the girl had a good home, receiving ; everything /■;'.;: that was needed. He explained that shii had been reading a French novel dealing with thf success of a woman,in baffling the polio in somewhat similar exploits. This, ac cording to the medicals evidence, ; ■ hac proved the spark which set her imagina tion afire, her nervous system {. beinj upset. V. ' --» . i' •- •

'■:■■■. Counsel said the father was prepared to send her 'to the country for. a long period which ' the doctors ■ ; agreed would benefit her, and to make suitable Arrangements . thereafter.: : ' }>; ,\ ' His Honor i said the . prisoner had pleaded guilty to five cases of theft, but none of the. property' had been disposed of, so that 'the theft was entirely apart from the usual. At the: same time she had deprived a number of respectable citizens of their property for. a considerable time, and had put the country and the police to _a considerable amount of trouble. He did not propose to send her to gaol. Probation had been recommended, but he did not think this would serve any purpose in this case. ■; He proposed to ord her to come up l for sea tence if called upon "l at any time during the next two : years, '■ • providing that . the father .paid- the prosecution costs; and : entered into security in company with his daughter, for her good behaviour .during that period. - y ■''■-') ■- ;- This was agreed to and ;the ■ prisoner was allowed her liberty. . ,