With regard to the demeanour of a witness, that very often swayed a case one way or the other. The self-control shown by defendant was something that would tell considerably in her favour, The "Magistrate had given her a chance on about three occasions to give a reason why the charge should be brought. It was a well-known fact that witnesses often could not say. The late Mr. Plowden, at Marylebone Police Court, once said to him (Mr. Newman): "I am very glad to be able to say that you make a much better showing in the well of the Court than in the witness box." It was very difficult for people in such circumstances, and different people were differently affected. There was the evidence of Miss Trevor-Smith that she had discussed at home her interview with Chief Dot.-Insp. Reeves, so the Court could not believe that she was not considerably upset about it. The charge had been brought because the girl had been seen openly wearing articles which unfortunately came within th. description of those lost, and because she appeared to be the first person whom the children could lame. Defendant's evidence was given quietly and in a way that must have carried conviction.
In January defendant had been warned. Would a thiel be so lacking in common sense as to go about the streets wearing these things after that date? Would she have gone to the police station and actually reported the loss of the gold bags, had she stolen them? She had openly flaunted the property under the eyes of the police.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.