A FASHIONABLE KLEPTOMANIAC.
+. At the Birmingham Polioe Ooart re* oently a fashionably attired young lady, uamad Edlih Boyden, 21, living at Richmond Hill, Edgbaßton, w«s placed m the dock on the oharge of committing a series of robberies from shopkeepers m the town. The table m front of the dock was oomp'etely covered with the property believed to have been purloined by the accused within the last week or two. Among the arttotaa were purees, needlecaseß, cigar-canes, cigarette-cases, pouches, eatohela, handkerchiefs, books, &c. , attogeth< r valued at £20. Detective-Superin-tendent Black stated that the prisoner went into Messra Lewis' establishment m Bu : l street, and made a small purchase. With considerable dexterity she managed to transfer three books and a cigarette oaae from the counter to he* pocket while being attended to The theft was witnessed by an employe, aud ere the accused ! had time to quit the place she was given into the custody of police-constable Nichol!«. The other property was subsequently found, but the owners deoHnod to prosecute, and Mesßro Lewis were of the same mind. Mr Barradale : it doesn't rest with them. Mr Smith; I appear for. the defendant. I think it is one of the . most distressing cases of the kind I have aver heard of. She is the daughter of » clergyman, and has a Treokly allowance. Sho doesn't spend half of her iicome, and wantß for nothing. Unfortunately, eha ia subject to kleptomania, and pilfers nick knacks which are practically useless. Mr B.\rradale : What is the total valuo 1 Mr Black : Thore was a great number of articles stolen, and the amount is rather considerable Mr Smith : I may say that aha ia under a I doctor now : and he 1b of opinion that she is not responsible for her actions, and all the prosecutors are convinced that bu h is the case, and therefore they dj nob wish to prosecute. Mr Barradale :If you say that her mind is affected, another serious matter presents itself. It is a quejtlou whether aho oDght not to be placed under restraint. Mr Smith : Her friends will see that ia done, if necessary. The case was adjourned for some days, and the defer co offered. by the prisoner's counsel was that her state of mind waß that which 'h id for many years been racognised as kleptomania - a form of marital disorder which gave to those bfftictiid with it, an uncontrollable desire to appropriate articles that did not belong to them.' She was fined £5, and the chairman exhorted the young lady to exercise a restraint over hsr actions m future.
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Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1605, 9 July 1887, Page 3
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432A FASHIONABLE KLEPTOMANIAC. Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1605, 9 July 1887, Page 3
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