THEFT OF BOOKS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23129, 30 August 1938, Page 16

THEFT OF BOOKS

OFFENCE IN CITY STORE MARRIED WOMAN FINED £2 A plea of guilty was entered by Ellen Dorothy Dyas, aged 38, married (Mr. Elwarth), who appeared before Mr. W. It. McKean, S.M., in the Police Court yesterday on a- charge of stealing sevpn books, valued at 7s 6d, the property of a city firm. Detective-Sergeant McHugh said that on' the evening of August 19 accused was at tho magazine counter of a city store, where an assistant saw her place a book under her raincoat. While under further observation, two assistants saw her take several more books and, when she was taken to the office, seven were discovered in her possession. "Interviewed by tho police," Mr. McHugh continued, "accused at first gave an incorrect name and address. She is a married woman with one child aged nine. Her husband is in a good position and she has never even been suspected of any offence before." Mr. Elwarth said accused's trouble was explained by the fact that, on the day in question, she had taken liquor. She was highly neurotic and liquor reacted far more on her than on an ordinary individual. Her husband wished her to take out a prohibition order and was certain that, if this were done, such an offence would not occur again. Accused was fined £2 and ordered to take out a prohibition order for 12 months.