The Shop Lifting Charges.

Manawatu Herald, 31 October 1893, Page 2

The Shop Lifting Charges.

At the Hawera R.M. Court on Thursday, Victoria Hamilton and Sophia Fraser were charged, on the information of Sergt. Stagpoole with having, on 2-lfch October, stolen one butter knife, nine silver brooches, and one pair of earrings, the pro perfcy of IT. G. Pitcher, of Hawcrn. Another information charged the larceny of two pieces ot dress material, one lady's jacket, and two pairs of kid gloves, the property of E. A. Adams. Another information charged the larceny .of a teapot, biscuit bowl, glass dish, flower stand, fruit stand, and other articles, the property of George Chang. Another information charged the larceny of a bottle of embrocation, bottle of tonic, bottle of Mellin's Food, box Pears' Soap, puff box, and an invalid cup, the property of Ezekiel Fake. Another information charged the larceny of a glass dish and five pairs boys' sox, the property of H. G. Gibson. Another information charged the larceny of one tobacco jar, one bottle bay rum, two bottles tricopherous, two books, one ballroom companion, a box hairpins, two b ittles scent, box matches, photograph frame, two glass ornaments, the property of M. J. O'Donnell. Another information charged the larceny of four pairs boys' shoes, two pairs ladies' shoes, and one pair gents' slippers, the property of William ?mith. Mr Welsh, on behalf of accused, applied that the cases might be dealt with summarily. After the evidence of the prosecu tion had been taken, no evidence was called in defence, but William Fraser, husband of the elder accused, and brother-in-law of the younger, gave evidence as to character, and said Knch a charge had never previously been brought against them. Had never noticed previously that they had brought anything particular home after shopping. Counsel asked that the case might be dealt under the First Offenders' Act. The R.M. said one might be a first offence, but how about the seven others ? How could those be treated as one first offence? This was evidently a raid on the whole town. The R.M. adjourned the court till 2 o'clock, and asked the probation officer to repoifc meantime. On the court re-assembling, Sergeant Stagpoole presented his report. The R.M. said the offences were practically admitted, and the whole eight had been proved conclusively by the evidence. The accused had simply gone from one shop to another, stealing whatever they could lay their hands on. It was a case in which he could not admit the prisoners to probation under the First Offenders Act. The sentence, however, would be as lenient as he could make it. Sophia Fraser would be sentenced to three months' imprisonment on each charge, the sentences to run concurrently. As regards the other prisoner, having regard to her youth, being 15 or 16, and to the probability that she was under the influence and control of her married sister, he would not send her to prison, but order that she come up when called on for sentence. During the whole of the Resident Magistrate's remarks there was a very painful scene owing to the appeals and lamentations of the 1 accused, and Mrs Fraser, on sentence being pronounced, dropped into a faint.— Star.