SHE MUST STOP

New Zealand Times, Volume LII, Issue 12200, 27 July 1925, Page 7

SHE MUST STOP

WOMANSHOP-UFTER HAD NO NEED TO STEAL FIN& OF £2O IMPOSED ; “She’s got nq family; she’s got everything she wants, and yet steals like this. What is the. court to dof I don’t want’ to sond a respectable woman to gaol. I’ll fine her £2O on the first charge, and convict her on the second. Her husband. must stop her allowance.” - • These remarks were made by Mr F. K. Hunt, S.At., at the Magistrate’s Court, on Saturday morning, when a married woman named Harriett Borough pleaded guilty to two charges ot stealing clothing ( valued at £2 Bs. “This woman is in comfortable circumstances,” - said Chief-Detective Kemp; “but she went about this thieving in n systematic manner.” He said that the accused was detected with a bath-mat in her possession, and when accosted she was found to have the articles mentioned in the first charge ia her. hag. She admitted stealing the articles, and when, her bouse; was searched further articlee were found; which she also admitted having stolen. PREVALENT CRIME “Shpp-lifting lS very prevalent,” said the chief-detective, “and the 'penalties inflicted seem'to have no deterrent at •all.” : ~y ‘ Mr W. Perry, who appeared for the accused, said that she had recently undergone a serious operation, and he submitted that she-was not responsible for her actions. Referring to the fine, he said -that the burden would fall on the husband. '

The magistrate: Well, let him take away her hoots. He must stop her from robbing shops.