THEFTS FROM SHOPS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21201, 6 June 1932, Page 11

THEFTS FROM SHOPS.

TWO WOMEN CONVICTED. PROBATION FOR TWO YEARS. Two married women, Eileen Dorothy Scott, aged 24, and Ada McQuoid, appeared before Mr. E. C. Cutten, S.M., in the Police Court on Saturday on a charge of stealing a hat and two jumpers, of a total value of £2 15s, from a Queen Street shop. Scott pleaded guilty and McQuoid not guilty. The latter denied two further charges of stealing from another shop a blouse and dress valued at £1 4s and a skirt worth 10s. The accused appeared voluntarily irf Court and were not tinder arrest.

Evidence was given by a shop assistant, who said she saw the two accused loitering in the children's department of the premises. When asked by witness if they desired to purchase anything they replied that they were " just looking around." Witness did not see them steal any clothing, but two jumpers were missed after their departure. Two jumpers and a hat produced by the police were identified by witness, while a representative of another shop identified other articles. Detective Hamilton said he visited Mrs. McQuoid's hpmo and recovered the missing articles. Mrs. McQuoid, who was quite frank, denied stealing the clothing, but made a written statement incriminating Mrs. Scott. She alleged that Mrs. Scott bad given her the garments and had told her, should tho police make inquiries, to say that they had come from her mother in Whangarei. Sho knew the goods were stolen. Tho magistrate said the position was quite clear to him. Ho could make no discrimination between the accused, as thev bad been together when some of the nrtirles were stolen. Both would bo convicted. Defective Sergeant Kelly said Scott had been convicted of theft in 1926, but the other accused was unknown to the police. Both women were admitted to probation for two vears, Scott being placed in the care of the Auckland City Mission. Institution was ordered to be mada.