SHOP-LIFTING.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2574, 7 August 1909, Page 2

SHOP-LIFTING.

A PAINFUL CASE. At tlie Magistrate’s Court yesterday, before Air. W. A. Barton, S.M., Frances Gibbs, a-- married woman, was charged with having stolen two pairs of hoots, valued at 11s, from the shop of R. Hannah and Co., Gisborne, on Saturday night last. Air. T. A. Coleman appeared for the defence. Robert Mitchell, manager for Messrs Hannah and Co., said that on Saturday night last the accused came into the shop and asked for some children’s slices, and bought two pairs for her children and one pair for herself. As the woman was leaving the shop she moved over to the side of the shop where there were some rough boots, and was there when witness! returned with the change. As the woman walked out of the shop, witness noticed something held beneath her jacket. Witness felt the object, and asked her if she had all she paid for, or if she wanted anything else. The accused said she was sure she had all she paid for. At the shop door witness again felt the object under the jacket, and found it was a boot. Witness left tlie shop and followed the accused, who. in front of Dalrymple’s shop, spoke to her husband. He thou told the police of the occurrence the following Monday morning. The boots produced were the. property of his firm. He did not scdl them to the accused. The accused frequently interrupted the hearing of the case, and was ordered to keep quiet by His Worship. To Air. Coleman: The witness said he could net remember if the woman carried a child into the shop. She carried a child out of the shop on her loft arm. The woman bought shoes similar in appearance to those produced. To Air. Coleman: The children’s shoos bought by the accused were similar to those produced in Court. Various shoes had been tried on the children. One of the children carried away the parcel of boots bought. The Wellington branch of the business sold similar shoes. He did not remember having seen the accused in his shop* before. The accused appeared perfectly sober on Saturday night. Constable Dwyer said that he went to the accused’s house on Kaiti on Monday. The daughter was in the house, and lie was shown five new pairs of shoos. He took possession -of the two pairs produced. He asked the accused if she bought the larger pair of shoes, and she said she never bought them, and did not know how she became possessed of them. She said she had had the baby’s shoes some time, and had bought them in Wellington. He went to the house at- about 10 o’clock on Monday morning, and the shoes were all together on the table. Air. Coleman said that on the Saturday the accused went into Hannah’s shop, to buy shoes for the children. Three pairs were bought and paid for, and' wrapped up by Mr. Alitchell. The accused carried a child out of - the shop on her arms. It was the child’s feet Air. Alitchell felt beneath the cloak. The accused did not know that an extra pair of hoots had been taken home. The larger boots were probably carried out of the .shop by 'one of thp children. George Gibbs, husband of tlie accused, said his wife bought some hoots at 'Hannah’s shop. The parcel was not opened until Sunday. His wife was away working all day Sunday and Aloud ay. The baby’s/boots had been about tlie house for the past six Weeks. His wife always carried the baby with tlie feet under her left arm. His Worship said he was satisfied'the accused was guilty, but it was difficult' to know what to do in such a case. It would have been better if a plea of guilty had been entered. He would not send the woman to prison, but bind her over in one recognisance to come up for sentence when called upon. __ - 7— ‘ ,