STOLE FOR CHILD

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 946, 12 April 1930, Page 10

STOLE FOR CHILD

WOMAN’S MINOR THEFT OVERLOOKED HAD EIGHT CHILDREN The offence of a woman, who was charged at the Police Court this morning with stealing a child’s frock, valued at 15s 6d. from a city store, was overlooked by Mr. F. K. Hunt, S.M. The woman, who was stated to be in very poor circumstances, had a family of eight children and Mr. Moody, -who appeared for her. expressed the hope that some charitable institution might interest itself in her case. Senior-Sergeant Powell said the woman, who was married, aged 40, was caught in a city store last evening with the frock under her coat. She had not previously been in trouble. “This is one of the most pitiable cases of the sort that has come before your worship," said Mr. Moody. “The woman has eight children, the youngest only 12 months old and she stole the frock for one of them. Her husband earns only £ 4 a week of that £1 10s goes for rent. The articles can be returned and, though your Worship regards these cases seriously as a rule, and rightly so, I ask that you do not record a conviction ill this instance. She stole for her kiddy." Major CTbrdon, Female Probation Officer, supported Counsel's plea and the woman was admonished and discharged. Her name was suppressed.