SHOPLIFTING CASE.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 August 1926, Page 9

SHOPLIFTING CASE.

WHOLESALE DEPREDATIONS. WOMAN’S AMAZING CAREER. TWENTY-TWO THEFT CHARGES. Bj Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. A tragic story, revealing one of the most extensive cases of wholesale shoplifting, was the amazing career of a young woman that was unfolded at the Police Court this morning, when Leonie Evelyn McMahon, aged 23, appeared before Mr. J. W. Boynton, S.M., for sentence. No fewer than twenty-two charges of theft of goods—comprising frocks, tunics, scarves, coats, jumpers, shoes, towelling, dressing gowns, tray cloths, a barometer, cruet, Donlton ware, plates, cut glassware, pipes, electric irons and a camera—of a total value of £538 Is were preferred against accused. Accused pleaded guilty of all charges. Detective-Sergeant Issell, of Newton, said that itll the goods were stolen from various shops between February and July last. As a result of inquiries made by witness and Detective Lambert the goods were recovered at accused’s apartments. Mr. Moody (for accused): Did she ever try to dispose of any of tho articles by sales ? —No, not that I know of. EXTENSIVE EMBEZZLEMENTS. Chief-Detective Cummings said that McMahon was a single woman who had received a good secondary education and who was competent in music and painting. Some time ago she had been employed in a clerical position by a wellknown New Zealand firm, and while in their employ she embezzled some thousands of pounds. With this money, she bought two residences, one in the city and the other at a seaside resort. Both were elaborately furnished. McMahon also purchased a five-seate.’ motor-car, and when she was found out she handed all the property to the firm she had victimised. The seaside residence of accused was burnt, together with its contents. Since coming to Auckland McMahon bad done little work and stayed at various hotels in the city. At these hotels where she stayed thefts had been repeatedly reported to the police. Accused had gone to various shops and warehouses and had stolen the goods mentioned in the charge sheet. COUNSEL’S PLEA FOR MERCY. “I regret to say, sir, that there are criminal tendencies in this young woman’s family,” Mr. Moody said. He desired to put forward a few facts about the unfortunate girl. There was no doubt that her case was a tragic one. Indeed, she had been operated upon on several occasions, and undoubtedly at Easter time she was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. Counsel thought it would be ridiculous to even breathe the word probation in this ease. However, a big sentence would probably have the effect of crushing her altogether. Although the thefts were heavy, in not one ease had accused attempted to dispose of any of the goods which she stole. LOVE OF FINERY. Probably it was her love of finery that caused her to embark on an expedition of wholesale shoplifting. Counsel further pointed out that McMahon had been in custody for two weeks while on remand. The fact of waiting in gaol for sentence had weighed very heavily on such -a young woman as accused. When arrested some drug powders were found in her possession. Mr. Moody said that after her last operation she had to be heavily drugged in order that she might obtain sleep. Probably these facts might have some weight upon the court. Mr. Moody hoped that the magistrate would not make the period of detention too long, and also that he might see his way to recommend accused’s transfer to the Borstal institution, where accused would be taught a trade, and where she would be assisted tc rehabilitate herself. THE MAGISTRATE’S VIEWPOINT. Mr. Boynton, S.M.: “This appears to be a case where the public is concerned. The accused steals thousands of pounds and then comes to Auckland and shifts her locality of operation to shoplifting on a wholesale scale. She should be kept under restraint for as long as possible. If she shows any signs of improvement she might be liberated on license, but I do not think that I could recommend her transfer to the Borstal Home. However, you could write to the Minister of Justice, Mr. Moody, and suggest that she should be transferred there. She is a menace to society, and she will be sentenced to reformative detention for a period of three years.”