“STOLE FOR THRILL.”

Western Star, 4 March 1938, Page 4

“STOLE FOR THRILL.”

WELL-TO-DO WOMAN. SOME AMAZING STATEMENTS. “Wife of a well-known, city man,” was the description applied to a 60-year-old woman who, at West London, was stated to be the author of a remarkable statement read in court. The woman, Mrs Minnie Elizabeth Fairman, of Whyteleafe, Surrey, wa s remanded in custody charged with stealing 32 articles from 41 departments of a Kensington store. It was alleged that when she was arrested Mrs Fairman made the following statement:—

“I have read about these things. It was the excitement of doing it. It ,is the first time I have ever done tills, and I think, as a first offender, they ought to let me off. 1 ‘lt was a little whim It rather daring. It is easier to steal an umbrella than pay for it. It was so easy and a little exciting.” Mr J. A, Morley, prosecuting, declared Mr s Fairman wa s a woman of some position, the daughter of a solicitor. She went deliberately on a wholesale shoplifting expedition armed with a gladstone bag. .“There is no reason why she should steal. She has been in poor health for some congiderabje time. She bears an excellent .character,” stated Mr A. Grimes, defending. The magistrate, Sir Gervais Rentoul, declared he found it almost impossible to believe it was a first offence, “It strain s my credulity alm&st beyond limits to imagine a woman on her first attempt at shoplifting would stead from 11 departments of a store,” he commented. As stated, Mr s Fairman was remanded in custody.