WOMAN SHOP-LIFTER.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 September 1921, Page 5

WOMAN SHOP-LIFTER.

A LONG LIST OF THEFTS. EXPENSIVE TASTE REV'EALED. SPARED FROM GAOL FOR BABY. By Telegraph —Preu Association. Auckland, Last Night. What was termed the “ravages” of a woman shop-lifter were exposed in the Police Court to-day, when Florence Tapp, a married woman, aged 34, had twelve charges of theft preferred against her. The charges were that on various dates she stole one hat valued at £3 3s, the property of E. S. Neale; one dominium pan and four and a half dozen salt spoons, valued at £3 19s the property of Oswald James Melvern; one mole coney cape, valued at £l6 16s, the property of Mesdames Whitaker and Taylor; one ninon blouse, one crepe de chine blouse, one georgette blouse, three handkerchiefs, two yards and a quarter of lace, one yard of ribbon, valued at £7 14s Id, the property of George Court, Ltd.; one antimony jewel casket and one bowl, valued at £4 2s, the property of Hart Bros.; one cream gaberdine costume and two and a half yards of flannel, valued at £l3 0s 6d, the jutoperty of Smith and Caughey; one gaberdine coat, one crepe de chine dressing gown, valued it £lB 18s, the property of Smith and Caughey; one artificial silk coat and one model hat, valued at £l2 9s 9d, the property of Milne and Choyce; one leather writing case, one suede scissors case, one silk and silver embroidery handbag, one silk handbag and three pairs of gloves valued at £l6 7s Id, the property of Milne and Choyce; one piece Nurteu fur, one yard of black silk net, one Indian; lace bonnet, one pair of silk stockings, 5 pieces of silk, valued at £l3 3s 3d, the. property of John Court, Ltd.; one black georgette jumper, one grey satin hat, valufed at £lO 5s 6d, the property of John Court, Ltd. The total value of the stolen goods was set down at £ll9 17s 6d.

Accused pleaded guilty, and a statement of her admissions was read. Mr. Dickson, who appeared for accused, asked that the woman be admitted to probation, as she had two children, one of whom was an infant at the breast, and her husband was a respectable, hard-working man. Restitution would be made by £2O down and 10a a week.

Detective-Sergeant Hammond (prosecuting) : “The woman could not have got all these goods without her husband knowing something about it.”

Mr. Poynton, S.M.: “Her husband must either be very.foft or else he winked at it.”

Detective-Sergeant Hammond said the goods had all been worn, and were not, therefore, returnable.

Mr. : “Only for the baby we would send her to gaol. She fully deserves the longest sentence we could give her for ravaging the shops of the citv as she has done, but for the sake of the child she will not be sent to gaol. She will be placed on probation for the longest term (five years), and is ordered to make restitution, £2O down and the remainder within twelve months. The goods must be returned to the owners.”

Detective-Sergeant Hammond: “They have all been worn.’’

Mr. Poynton: "Well, «he should not bn allowed to keep them. Some ot them be taken back, and the remainder, pmhr.p" sold as second-hand, and the value van ue deducted from the amount of reslion.-in she has to pay.”