A COUNTESS IN THE DOCK.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 74, 17 March 1908, Page 4

A COUNTESS IN THE DOCK.

chained Willi suomrmu. Hit countess says sue only coikcicu Ui<: articles with u view to u.iynijj lor VU.mii ; Wo prosecution accuse iii-i- ol siioplifung, and in order lo decide the question Wit Alarluorough =ueci (Louuohj magistrate, Air. Aleade, heard evidence. We «i« was nun Di much Ui« Countess Louise Umsso, torty, living iu liavswater terrace, iiajswaier, ~ui rendered 10 ner will cimrged wun ii'*'»S stolen ironi Atosrs. Liberty & Co., liegent Street, Uirce »ilk bags, three lengths of triiuiuiug, a cigarette holder, two silk covers, ii nun, two bead neck ciiaius, an embroidered collar, a needle case, and a scan, value £U. At tat previous hearing evidence of arrest was given by Constable l'earce, who slated that lie found prisoner detained i" »p----atairs room. She said: "1 am sorry. 1 did not mean to steal, but had no money with me to nay for the things."' Defendant wa* on this occasion most attractively attired. She wore a large iblaek picture Iml with blue Uovvors, a sealskin coal, and a mull'. Air. Newton (pruscciilingj said that the result of inquiries showed accused tu be of high character and position, being also possessed of considerable means. However, those who instructed liini thought it necessary that the whole of the facts should be before the Court. On December 20, iu consequence of what one of the young women cashiers said, defendant, who had been on the premises for ■some time, was watched. She was seen to pick up several articles and |iut them down again. She was then observed to pick up a piece of silk lace which iva» wound round a card. She removed the lace from the card and pushed the material into her muff. Prisoner win further seen "pottering'' about where other articles were displayed. Half an I hour nflenvards prisoner left, but was { brought back and asked what she n.id I in her mull'. She replied that she had nothing, but when preyed said: "Oh! you mean this?" and produced the lace. . The inuft' was taken from her, and it was found to contain the other articles mentioned in the charge. While waiting she >iid to an assistant: " I know 1 have done wrong. 1 am very -uny. 1 will pay fur tiieui. It is' a terrible thing for me. If you have children of your own 1 hope you will forgive me." The assistant pointed out to her that he had no power iu the matter. The solicitor concluded: "However painlul it may be for a lady of this description, i shall ask you to say that there is n case against prisoner to go before a jury," Evidence was given in -nppurt of this statement. Air. Aieade said he understood the defence to b c that the articles in question had been collected by the defendant for the purpose of payment by her. Horace Clayton, an assistant, said that, on asking accused for her name she replied: "Oh, no," but afterwards agreed to write it down. When asked for her address she said: "Oh, nu. I du not want my people to know." At the time she was wearing upon her breast a wateli with a coronet upon it. Air. Henley, one of the superintendents, asked her whether she was entitled to wear a coronet, mid she replied: "Yes; 1 am a lady. This will be a great disgrace." By Air. Gill (<]». fending): Prisoner did not say, "f am the Countess Oiusso. Iwant to'pav. but have no money in my purse. I am ii lady and will pay," but she iIM say that if inquiries were made at the Embassy it would be found there whom she Iras. She also said: "Will you come with me homef At this point defendant was remanded on bail, herself in £50(1. and one surety of £2BO.

The arrest of the counte-s ( . msec! f|uit t ' a sensation in .'iristocrntie eiiolcs at Naples. She is a niece of Siftnor fiinsso. an ex-Minister, and n very wealthy man. and is sister of the Duke'of Civella a rich Neopolitan landowner. Tt is considered to be a case of kleptomania, for at the resumed trial evidence will be tendered to sliow that she had lately shown signs of mental tp»iMi> while residing at Florem*.