SHOPLIFTING PLEA

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 91, 11 January 1935, Page 2

SHOPLIFTING PLEA

Woman Charged in Court

“TEMPTATION OFFERED”

“In the Christmas season shopkeepers vie with one another in making their goods attractive, and while I don’t for one moment excuse these thefts, although they were carried out by one in poor circumstances Who has children to maintain, these displays or goods do afford a certain amount of temptation to one who has to buy things when she may not be in a position to do so.” This plea was made by Mr W. E. Leicester in the Wellington Magistrate’s Court yesterday when Anna Elizabeth Boyd, aged 47, married, was charged with stealing goods valued at £l/15/6 from James Smith, Ltd., and other goods valued at £6 from persons unknown. Accused pleaded guilty to the first charge, but stated that of the goods in the second charge some of them had been properly bought. The list included principally small articles. The Magistrate, Mr, W. F. Stilwell, i ccepted the word of Mr. Leicester that some of the articles had not been stolen, and reduced the value of the goods in the second instance by £2/10/-. “The difficulty in this matter Is to get a balanced view as to what should do with such a woman of 47 years of age with ch’klren to support, bearing in mind the type of offence.’" Mr. Stilwell said. “It is one of the cases where precedent is of very little assistance. In 1927 she was in trouble for the same offence. She has appa.--, (Utly had a pretty hard time since then'. , "I think I will be doing justice in the matter if I Impose a fine of £5. in default one month’s imprisonmen’-, in respect of the first charge, and on the second she will be convicted and ordered to come up for sentence if called upon within two years. But if you come up again,” he added to accused, “so far as I am concerned, you certainly will be Imprisoned without any further opportunity.”