COUNTESS IN THE DOCK.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9041, 17 March 1908, Page 7

COUNTESS IN THE DOCK.

WEALTHYLADY ACCUSED OF ■Vj? 7 SHOP-LIFTING.

The remarkable case in which -Countess Louise Guisso, of Bayswater terrace, London is accused of shop-lifting at Liberty's, in Regent street, was investigated at the Marlborough street Police Court last .month. . The Countess, who wore a dark costume, sealskin jacket, and large hat trimmed with purple feathers, was given a seat in the dock. She was defended by an array of counsel, including Mr C. P. Gill, K.C., Mr Bodkin, and Mr Bruce. Mr Newton, who prosecuted, said inquiries had been made, and it had been found that the Countess was of A high character and position, and ■ possessed considerable means. Messrs Liberty felt that, however painful the matter might be to a person of .such UQsition, the whole facts of the case should be placed before the court. .' , , At this stage Mr GUI pointed out that some one was making a sketch, but Mr Mead, the magistrate, declined to interfere. John Bryant, an assistant at Liberty's, said that in consequence of what another assistant told him he save instructions that the Countess should be watched. He saw her in the basement examining a piece of trimming wound round a card. She unwound it, rolled it into a ball, and put it in her muff. "I spoke to her several times while she was in the shop," he declared, ''and asked if I might show her a X goods. I watched her for about anhour, and I was within a few feet of her." Horace Clayton, another assistant, ■ said he also watched the Countess. "She took up a bead necklace, and asked me the price of it," he stated. "She put it down on the table and walked away. She next picked up an embroidered collar and pretended to put it down again, but instead of doing so she placed it in her muff. I was looking at her in a mirror. "Afterwards I followed her into the street. Touching her on the arm I said, 'Mada ne, I believe you have something in your muff that you have not paid for. Will you kindly step back into the shop. "She returned with me, and, producing a piece of trimming from her , muff, said, 'ls it about this?' The ■4 trimming was worth £2. ' '■' "I then took her muff (a large one) and emptied it in the presence of a shopwalker. It contained three silk bags, two other lengths of trimming, .a cigarette holder, two silk covers, a mat, two bead neckchains, an embroidered collar, a needle case and a scarf. "When she saw the articles she exclaimed 'Let me go and forgive me, I did not mean to steal. I had not the money with me to pay for thtm. Will you take my watch?" "She was invited by Mr Henley, the general superintendent, to go upstairs to one of the sitting rooms," the assistant continued. "There she was asked for her name. She replied, 'Oh, no!' but wrote it on an ■envelope. "When asked for her address, she said, 'Oh, null do not want-my r fflMj ßeOP ' e ' to k nOW -' fjgff '"-She were a watch bearing a coro- ■ net, and Mr Henley asked if she was entitled to wear a coronet. Her reply was,' Yes. lam a lady. This will be a great disgrace.' "Eventually, after Mr Henley had ■consulted the directors of the company, a policeman was sent for, and •she was given into custody." Cross-examined by Mr Gill, the -assistant said the Countess informed them that if inquiries were made at tne Embassy it would be known who ■she was. She added, "Will you accomoany me home?" "The explanation of this case," declared Mr Gill, "is that until she looked into her bag she did not know that her purse was not in it." Mr Mead ordered a remand, accepting the Countess' own bail in .£SOO and one surety of £250. The bail was at once forthcoming, and the Countess left the court with friends.