SHOP THEFTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22975, 1 March 1938, Page 14

SHOP THEFTS

FIFTY-SEVEN CHARGES WOMAN BEFORE COURT PALMERSTON NORTH CASE TWELVE MONTHS* DETENTION [I)Y TELEGRAPH—OWN CORRESPONDENT] PALMERSTON NORTH, Monday Fifty-seven charges of theft from shops, involving £49 18s 7d. which led the magistrate, Mr. J. L. Stout, to remark that she must have been making quite a good thing out of it, were brought in the Magistrate's Court to day against Margaret Mathieson Scott Hart, married woman, aged 33, of ! Palmerston North.' Accused pleaded guilty to all the charges. Detective-Sergeant Meiklcjohn said accused was a native of Scotland. She was married in Wellington and lived there until two years ago. She then look up with a man named Edward Ryan, and in June, 1936, came to Palmerston North. Ryan was in constant employment, earning £i 3-« a week. Accused was arrested in Paliiatua on February 15, where she was trying to sell some fruit salts for 3s 6d, which .she said her husband had duplicated in buying. At one store she sold goods for 4s Od and exchanged other goods for tobacco. Not satisfied with what, she could steal in Palnierston -North,, this year she had been to Levin, Wangamii and Feildiug as well. Shu had admitted that she had been stealing for 15 months. Jt was not a rase of hardship, for a search oi her room had revealed £217 2s 3d. Of that sum £33 was Ryan's, and accused had £IOO when she came to Palmerston North. Mr. Rowe, for accused, said already she had had considerable punishment and her life during the last three weeks had been a nightmare. Hitherto she luid led an exemplary life. Counsel suggested probation. Accused was sentenced on the indictable charges to 12 months' reformative detention. Edward Ryan, aged 37, mill-worker, .was charged with converting to his own use, thereby committing theft, certain articles of men's clothing and shoes of a total value of £6 6s 3d. Accused pleaded not guilty. Hart, in evidence, said she took n'il J the blame. She had told Ryan that she I had bought the articles. After hearing other witnesses the magistrate said lie doubted if there was , enough evidence on these charges. Four j other charges of receiving stolen goods. I alternative to those heard, M ere then i withdrawn and accused was discharged. I