GUILTY OF THEFT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26226, 9 August 1946, Page 7

GUILTY OF THEFT

OLD OFFENDER CHARGED PROBATION GRANTED •• oh, your Worship please give me another chance. I’ll pay back every penny. It will be the makings of a woman of me,” said Sarah Slizabetn Smith, aged 47. to the magistrate, Mr H. W. Bundle, S.M.. in the City Police Court yesterday after she had pleaded guilty to a charge of theft.' The magistrate was discussing with Major Hannaford, of the Salvation Army, the advisability of sending the accused to a Salvation Army home. .. ” It's too late to make a woman of Vou,” replied Mr Bundle. The accused pleaded guilty to the theft of a cheque for £8 Is 4d and a social security warrant for £1 2s 6d, the property of Matthew Duffy. She has had over 60 convictions for drunkenness. Chief Detective T. Y. Hall said the accused kept house at Brighton for the complainant, who worked in town. On July 23 the accused opened a lettei to the complainant and took out a cheque and also stole a social security warrant which had come by post. She endorsed the cheque and signed the warrant and cashed the former at a grocery shop In Princes street, obtaining £2 worth ol groceries and the rest in cash. She spent all the money on liquor. She had been an alcoholic for years, and had twice previously been convicted for theft. “ i am very sorry, your Worship. 1 did such a thing,” said the accused, when asked if she had anything to say She gave a long story of having been tempted by a man to endorse the cheque and had done so at his suggestion. She had always opened the complainant’s letters, and some of the money from the cheque was for her holiday at Christmas. The accused was admitted to probation for 12 months, being ordered to reside where directed by the probation officer and to pay restitution, £9 4s 4d, as directed by him. ”If you break the teims of your probation, and I am afraid you are bound to,” added the magistrate. ” you will be sentenced to reformative detention for at least 12 months.” Major Hannaford asked if it would be any good if the accused took out a prohibition order. , . ... The magistrate: That would only multiply her offences.