SHOPLIFTING CHARGES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19698, 26 July 1927, Page 11

SHOPLIFTING CHARGES.

TWO OFFENCES ADMITTED.

A WOMAN FINED £lO

NO SUPPRESSION OF NAME

"The penalties imposed on shoplifters do not appear to be having the desired effect of deterring others," said Mr. W. R. McKean, S.M., in the Police Court yesterday, when Lena Schischka, aged 31 (Mr. Mahoney), pleaded guilty to two charges of stealing goods valued at 12s Id and 10s, from two Queen Street drapery stores. Chief-Detective Cnmmings said accused was employed as a housekeeper at Puhoi, and came to Auckland for a few days last week. She went into one store and made several purchases, and when a favourable opportunity presented itself she stole several articles. She then went into another store and stole other articles, but was detected as she was about to leave. When questioned she admitted the offences. Mr. Mahoney said accused was somewhat "simple" and not altogether responsible for her actions. The articles she had taken were of little value and coming from the country she had evidently been tempted by her glittering surroundings. Counsel asked for suppression of accused's name, stating that she was a member of one of the best-known families in the district. The Rev. Father Shaw said he had known accused for five years. He considered she was not responsible for her actions and should not bo in town without someone to look after her. Her people were financially well off. The chief detective remarked that shoplifting was increasing. Two persons had been before the Court last week for this offence and others the previous week. . The magistrate said he did not believe accused was unable to aprpeciate the difference between right and wrong. He was reluctant to send women to prison for this offence and would not do so in the present case, in view of the circumstances. Accused would be fined £5 on each charge, in default 14 days' imprisonment. The circumstances were not sufficiently unusual to justify suppression of accused's name.