YOUNG WIDOW'S THEFTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21414, 11 February 1933, Page 14

YOUNG WIDOW'S THEFTS

MONEY FROM CITY FIRM THREE YEARS' PROBATION The benefits of probation -were extended yesterday by Mr. Justice Herd-man-to Edna May Burt, a widow, aged 23 (Mr. A. Moody), who came up for sentence on two charges of forgery and one of theft as a servant. She had been employed in a branch shop,of a large butchery firm. Mr. Moody said that, she had had an unfortunate married life, and her husband had died in February of last year leaving debts which bhe had tried to pay. She had had further trouble, and it appeared that undue methods were employed to try to extract money from her. She was very anxious to rehabilitate herself. It was difficult to understand how such a large amoiint could have been taken from a big firm within a period of 12 months. His Honor: What money did she really get ? The Crown Prosecutor, Mr. Meredith: £202. Mr. Moody said that she had not benefited hers?lf, but' had got into the hands of money-lenders. The whole circumstances were somewhat tragic. His Honor: What did she steal the money for ? Mr. Moody: To help pay back money left owing by her husband when he died. His Honor said it would seem that at one time the young woman became desperate, and she must have got into the hands of some unscrupulous people. The police report was favourable, and he was much impressed by the report supplied by Major Gordon. He thought the best course would be to release her on probation. His Honor and Mr. Meredith agreed that in all the circumstances no good purpose woiild be served by requiring her to attempt repayment. She was admitted to probation for three years.