WOMAN'S £624 FINE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20472, 25 January 1930, Page 2 (Supplement)

WOMAN'S £624 FINE.

COSTLY SILK STOCKINGS.

LONDON SMUGGLING CASE.

MAXIMUM PENALTY INVITED.

Maximum penalties were " by invitation " inflicted at a London Police Court on December 2 on Mrs. Mary Gertrude Campbell Heathcote. She pleaded guilty to harbouring an uncustomed silk dress at Stratton Street, Piccadilly, with intent to dofraud tho Customs, between February 1 and April 21 last, and to harbouring seven silk dresses at the premises of Laruo, Ltd., Hanover Square, between February 1 and May 5. Mr. R. L. Fisk, who prosecuted, said that two officers of the inquiries department of tho Customs and Excise called at Mrs. Heathcote's flat to interview a Mrs. Munroo with regard to certain alleged smuggled goods. In the course of their visit they found in a wardrobe in Mrs. Heathcote's bedroom six silk dresses.

Mr. A. W. Fryzer, who appeared for Mrs. Heathcote, said that he objected to matters being introduced which might prejudice his client. He had pleaded guilty to both summonses and was ready to submit to tho maximum penalty. The magistrate, Mr. R. E. Dummett, said that lie ought to have all the attendant facts placed before him; but when Mrs. Heathcote's solicitor invited tho court to inflict the maximum, penalty there seemed nothing much to urge.

Mr. Fisk stated that ho had definite instructions to give the whole of the facts to the court.

Mr. FryZer said the prosecution in introducing these matters had an ulterio'r object.

Mr. Fisk said ho would not pursue the matter with regard to the other woman. Mrs. Heathcote was questioned, he went on, with reference to a number of dresses in tho wardrobo, all of which had labels bearing French names. She admitted that at least 12 had been brought into tho country which had not been declared for duty. It was added by Mr. Fisk that Mrs. Heathcote was asked to holtl these dresses until the officers' return. Until that timo they had no idea that she was connected with the dress trade, but they questioned her and she stated that she was in business as Leruc, Ltd., a firm dealing in French dresses. The officers returned in three days and saw her in the presence of her solicitor. Instead of producing 12 dresses, she produced only one silk dress, which she admitted she had brought in and not declared. Mr. Fisk added that Mrs. Heathcote had given instructions to the manageress of her business to take the French labels off and put on those of Larue. Mi\ Dummett: That is in dispute. If and when proceedings with reference to any of these goods come before me I shall deal with them. To make statements public which are in dispute seems to me to be undesirable.

Mrs. Heathcote's solicitor, doubtless for good reasons, proceeded Mr. Dummett, had urged upon him to inflict tho not inconsiderable maximum penalty in both the summonses. He had accepted the invitation. Ho inflicted a penalty of £l6O and 10 guineas costs in the first case, and a penalty of £464 and 20 guineas costs in the second.