SERVANT’S THEFTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19001, 25 October 1923, Page 2

SERVANT’S THEFTS.

“MOST SUPERIOR KEEP.” An amazing series of thefts, conducted by a domestic servant from the mansionhouses of distinguished personages in the West of Scotland, had been brought to light in the conviction of Marcella Winifred Craig or Ferguson, who was sentenced to 60 days’ imprisonment at Glasgow Sheriff Court. ‘ It appears that during the years from 1916 to the present, the accused had been in the service of some of the leading society notables in Buteshire and Renfrewshire. Of a rather superior appearance and well dressed, and spoken of as a most excellent cook, the prisoner was allowed the “full run” of the houses where she was engaged; and this liberty she abused by looking around for what valuables she could annex and remove. This she did by seizing hold of large quantities of napery, bric-a-brac, and jewellery, and taking these away to Glasgow in travelling bags from time to time. The series of thefts over so many years were discovered only by accident. She had been brought “in” from her home in Plantation street, Govan, on a minor charge of theft; and on the Glasgow detectives searching her house they were surprised at the enormous stocks of materials of the best character hidden away in the repositories of the house. After communicating with people with whom she had been in service during past years, much of the goods was identified as their property. In all five charges were preferred against her, to each of which she pleaded guilty. The people from whom she had stolen confessed that she was a most excellent cook and likeable woman.