IMPULSE TO STEAL

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21154, 29 September 1938, Page 10

IMPULSE TO STEAL

OPERATIONS BLAME.’) Married twenty-five years and the mother of five children. Mrs Emily Ashley, aged 44, of Ely, Cardiff, pleaded guilty at Cardiff to shoplifting. The police stated that Mrs Ashley had been convicted twice previously, and that on the second occasion she was ordered one month's hard labour. In an appeal for leniency. Mr Elfyn David, defending, explained that it was found necessary for Mrs Ashley to undergo an operation after the birth of the youngest child, now aged five, rhe operation was not successful, and a second one was performed by an eminent surgeon. “Since these operations," added Mr David, “she has had this impulse to steal. Her husband says that previously there was nothing in her conduct which showed she was liable to any action of this kind. There is no reason at all why this offence should have been committed as they are comfortably off." Imposing a fine of ! 3 and costs, the chairman, Mr John Thompson, told Mrs Ashley her previous experience should have taught her to keep away from such shops.