GRANDMA'S FALL

NZ Truth, 7 February 1925, Page 7

GRANDMA'S FALL

«. . Caught Shoplifting at SixtyNine The policy recently adopted by Christchurch Magistrates, of inflicting terms of imprisonment upon persons convicted of shoplifting has caused a pronounced falling-off of that class of offence. Last week, however, a widow, aged 69, who pleaded guilty to stealing dress material valued at 13/11 from Beath and Co., Ltd., was extended the leniency of the Bench and fined £5 on it being shown that she had stolen the goods "more out of pity for her grandchildren than with criminal intent." Chief Detective Gibson said that the accused, Mary Jane Emerson, had been caught shoplifting on a previous occasion but had not been charged on account of her age. It appeared that she had been stealing on the present occasion for some destitute grandchildren. '*■ Mr. "^wyneham said the accused was drawing £ 3 weekly from the ,estate of her late husband and was living alone. In her 69 years this was her first appearance m Court, a fact which at her time of life would . mitigate against a sentence being passed on her. - For some time past she had been under a very severe mental strain on account of the plight of one of her married daughters who, -with her children, were almost destitute. Accused had been assisting the family, but had worried herself into an almost hopeless state of mind and did not appear to realise what might be the outcome of the crime she had now committed. Leniency on her behalf was asked for and also that m view of her ago, her name should be suppressed from publication. . ' Efiie J. M. Cardale, secretary of the Society for the Protection of Women, and Children, said that accused's daughter had seven children who were almost destitute on account of their father being an absolute waster. Witness was assured that accused had committed the theft more out of pity for the children than because of any criminal reason. The Bench inflicted a fine of .£5, m default fourteen , days' imprisonment, and refused to suppress publication of accused's name.