STOLE FOR WIFE

Southland Times, Issue 25306, 8 June 1935, Page 6

STOLE FOR WIFE

UNEMPLOYED MAN. MAGISTRATE EXTENDS LENIENCY. (Per United Press Association.) Auckland, June 7. An unemployed man, a returned soldier of unblemished character who stole in order that his wife might have a singlet and new pair of soles for her shoes, received the sympathy of the Magistrate when he appeared in the Police Court on a shop lifting charge. Accused, whose name the Magistrate ordered to be suppressed, pleaded guilty to a charge of stealing a singlet, a pair of rubber soles and a tie, of a total value of 7/11, the property of Woolworths, Karangahape Road. Senior Detective Hall said the case was a most distressing one. On May 31 Detective Gillum was called to the shop where accused, who had been detained, frankly admitted the theft of the articles which were all recoverd. “This man has a wife and two children aged five years and ten months,” said Detective Hall. “He is unemployed and is on sustenance, receiving £1 9/per week. Out of that he has been paying 14/- per week as rent for two basement rooms. There are a few articles of furniture in the house and the bed consisted of an old wire mattress stretched across some boxes. The mattress itself was practically useless and valueless for warmth. They had hardly any bedclothes and very little food, in fact the family has been living principally on vegetables. They have only been able to afford 2d. of milk daily for a 10-month-old baby. Accused’s wife has been doing her best under adverse circumstances and the place was found clean and tidy. Accused has never been in any trouble before and he says he stole the singlet for his wife and the soles in order that he .might resole her shoes. Police inquires show that he even sold his working boots in order to try and keep his home together.”

The Rev. G. E. Morton described the case as an extremely sad one. “This man cannot be expected to keep his wife and two children on a few shillings a week,” he said. “His wife’s health is bad. His character is beyond reproach and he is a returned soldier with a particularly fine war record. I am quite sure that this lapse has occurred because of the economic position of the country.” Mr Morton added that his society was now assisting the family and another Minister had also agreed to help. “The circumstances of this case are really sad and distressing,” said Mr W. R. McKean, S.M. “I propose to take a course which I do not usually take in shoplifting cases by adjourning the charge until December 6.” Addressing accused, Mr McKean said: “Something will be done to assist you. It is most unfortunate that you should be here on such a charge.”