SHOPLIFTER CAUGHT.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19549, 31 January 1927, Page 12

SHOPLIFTER CAUGHT.

DRESS AND STOCKINGS. EVIDENCE OF INTENTION. FINE OF £lO IMPO'ED. The tiaeft of a dress valued at £1 9s 6d, and two pairs of silk stockings valued at 19s, the property of Milne and Jhoyce, Ltd., was admitted in tie Police Court on Saturday by Eileen Mary Williams, aged 29 (Mr. McLiver). Senior-Detective Hammond said accused bad been detected in the act of stealing the stockings on Friday, She had previously been noticed by one of the salesmanagers on another floor and his suspicions were aroused. She was detected by one of the women assistants and taken to the manager's office. She had with her a small attache case which was found to contain the dress which she had previously taken from the fourth floor. There was nothing else in the case so th&t it appeared that she had deliberately intended to steal. She was a married woman and had never been before the Court before. Her husband was a hard working man. "It is very difficult for me to appear in this case," .said Mr. McLiver. "I have acted for the accused for four years, and this is the last thing that could have been expected of her. I .could! scarcely believe it when I heard of the charge. She was unable to give me any account of the affair, and was almost hysterical." Recent Injury to Head.

Mr. McLiver said the only explanation he could offer of the occurrence was that accused had received a ' kick on the head some time ago, and this might possibly account for it. Accused had lived a useful life in the past and had done a lot of good in the community. There was nothing he could do but throw her on the mercy of the Court. Her husband occupied a Government position, and would undertake to see that such an did not occur again. "How can he do that? You are not suggesting that he knew of the offence, are you?" said the magistrate, Mr. McKean, who added that the Court always took a serious view oi offences of this nature. } • The Senior-Detective: She is a woman Of means. She has a private hank account. It does not seem likely that this is a first offence. She has other goods in her house to which suspicion attaches, although we cannot prove anything. Mr. McKean: She did not take only one article, so that ,it could not have been a §udden impulse. This makes the matter more difficult. She apparently went there with the intention of stealing. I might otherwise have treated her more leniently. a A Night in Custody., The Senior-Detective: I think it is a case for a substantial fine, lour Worship. The Magistrate: I am not quite certain that I should not sentence her to a term of imprisonment. Mr. McLiver: She was locked np last night. This has made the enormity of ttfe offence very plain to her. After considering the matter the magistrate imposed a fine of £lO, in default 14 days' imprisonment. Mr. McLiver: I would ask for time to pay. The Senior-Detective: She has £3OO in the Savings Bank that we know of. On account of the bank holiday on Saturday the magistrate allowed accused until to-day to pay the fine. Mr. McLiver: Would Your Worship consider an application for the suppression of accused's name ? It is not so rough for her sa.ke as for her husband's. Mr. Hammond: It would be no punishment if her name were suppressed. Mr. McKean: No, it would be very little punishment. I will not suppress her name.