YOUNG WOMEN’S THEFTS

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11661, 27 October 1923, Page 6

YOUNG WOMEN’S THEFTS

ACCUSED BEFORE COURT DISAPPEARANCE OF MONEY AND CHEQUES. DIAMOND RING STOLEN. A denial that she had stolen the sum of £l4 in money and a cheque for £4 3a 4d, belonging to Eileen Kirlcealdie, was made by a. young domestic, Josephine Nielson, agod 20, at the Magistrate’s Court yesterday before Mr E. Pa’ge, S.M. Accused, however, admitted having received a packet containing 21b of tea from the house of the complainant, where olio was employed ns a housemaid. That slio had left the money and the cheque in a drawer in her bedroom was explained by the complainant, who said she locked her window on Labour Day, prior to leaving for the races. On returning everything was in its place except the money and the cheque. Questioned by Mr W. H. Tustin (who appeared on behalf of accused) as to whether the latter objected to a search being made of her room, Detective Sinclair declared that “she didn’t think wo would malco such a job of it.” As the search proceeded she became uneasy as the room was thoroughly and methodically “turned over.” On the tea being discovered she admitted having stolen It, declaring she took it “in spite,” because she had been dismissed. The charge of having stolen the cheque, however, produced a denial- The £l4 had not as yet been recovered. OTHER THEFTS ADMITTED. Upon Mr Tustin placing liis client in the witness-box a searching cross-exam ination followed by the chief-detective, the outcome of which was that further admissions were made by accused to the effect that she had stolen handkerchiefs and a slip, together with other articles of a like nature. Detective Murch corroborating the evidence of Detective Sinclair, His Worship decided to enter a conviction. The offender was accordingly convicted, and ordered to come up for sentence if called upon within two years. A condition of her release was that she go to the Salvation Army home for 12 months. DIAMOND RING STOLEN A PLEA FOR LENIENCY. An admission that she had stolen a diamond ring and a platinum necklace, valued at £4O, the property of Elizabeth Caminer, was made by a young domestic Beryl Annie Stevens, aged 19. A plea of guilty was entered by Mr C. A. L. Treadwell who, on accused’s behalf, asked for leniency in view of the fact that the girl had unfortunately got into bad company.

This being her first appearance in court, His Worship entered a conviction, and ordered the prisoner to come Up for pentench if called! upon within three yenra. Restitution is to be made at the rate of 5s per week; the sum of £3 (for which the ring had been pawned) is also to be returned.