CAUGHT IN ACT

NZ Truth, Issue 1213, 28 February 1929, Page 1

CAUGHT IN ACT

Oh, Those Light Fingers SHOPLIFTER FINED (From "N.Z. Truth's" Auckland Rep.) ''There is no question about her ' being a shoplifter. She. went out on this particular morning with, a bag to do her shoplifting and was caught m the act." DERYL, MILDRED STEVENS, a Wellbuilt woman of twenty-six years, sat sobbing m a chair m front of the dock and listened to this description of her from -the lips of Chief-detective Hammond,- while her husband stood behind her. Mr. Allan Moody stated that the woman's husband was* prepared to make restitution, and he asked that Mrs. Stevens be placed on probation. Failing that, he asked for a substantial fine, and pleaded that she be not sent to prison. . . "She has an excellent home, and would do well on probation," said coun^ sel. • . . "I don't know that probation is necessary or desirable m a case of this kind. It is not one of sudden temptation. She apparently went out with the Intention of stealing. I think that prison is the place for women of this kind," replied Mr. McKean, S.M. "Is your house well supplied with the articles she has stolen?'* the magistrate asked Stevens. The husband stated that there was no necessity for his wife to. steal. Their hous& was well supplied with everything. "The husband is always the, sufferer," said the magistrate as he fined the woman £5 on each of five charges; "That will be £25 altogether, m default one month's imprisonment," he added.