Probation Officer’s Report
The following is a report prepared on request of His Honour George Huges
of the the Provincial Court of Alberta
in regards to
Virginia Jane White
who is due to appear for Sentencing on
Report prepared by:
Personal Information:
Current Charges:
Criminal Record History:
Comments:
The defendant has no previous criminal convictions.
Police Report Summary:
According to the Metropolis City Police Department, their officers were called out to the Dresswell Clothing Store on March 2nd, 2001. This was in response to a shoplifting complaint from the store security manager. The officers arrived to find that Mrs. White had been detained by the store's security officers after she was seen placing a blue blouse in her bag. She browsed other items before proceeding to leave the store without paying for the blouse. When accosted, Mrs. White claimed that she had intended to pay for the blouse and had only put it in her bag for convenience. She said that she forgot about the item and had left the store to go home. Mrs. White insisted that she would have returned to pay for the item once she discovered it at home. Nevertheless Mrs. White was charged with Theft in court and pleaded guilty. She was not represented by council at the hearing, during which she appeared nervous and tearful. Mrs. White did not explain to the court why she had attempted to steal the blouse. She had no previous criminal convictions and it was discovered that she had sufficient money to pay for the item at the time of the incident.
Stolen Items:
1. Blue Blouse (costing less than $5000)
Sources Interviewed:
Factors Contributing to the Offence:
Offender Social and Family History:
Virginia White is 43 years of age and married to George White. They have three children including Mark (8), Susan (12) and Tom (14). Mrs. White was caught shoplifting a blouse for herself and plead guilty to the charge of theft in court. The defendant has not shared information about her conviction with her husband because she fears that he might react badly and claims that he has a violent temper sometimes. Mrs. White has expressed a fear that she could be thrown out of her home following the conviction and is anxious that her children do not learn about the incident. The defendant admits to having stolen some small items for herself or her children in the past but this is her first conviction.
Offender Background Information:
Education:
Virginia White achieved a grade 12 level of education. Her qualifications were obtained during her youth in Toronto, Ontario. Having married shortly after high school, the defendant did not pursue further education. However, Mrs. White is an accomplished pianist and organist.
Employment:
The defendant has no formal employment and might be considered to be a fulltime housewife. However, she also plays the organ on Sunday at her Church. There is no indication that this is paid employment.
Financial Situation:
Social/Physical Factors:
During the interview Mrs. White indicated that her husband (George White) is a good man but also mean and strict. Reverend Smith admits that he does not know Mr. White very well but his impression is that of a "hard working, no nonsense type of individual". Mabel Jones (a friend of Mrs. White) senses that Mr. White is very controlling of his wife's activities.
Her family circumstances also suggest that Mrs. White feels isolated. The defendant's parents are elderly and leave some way off. Her elder brother works abroad. Therefore there is limited contact. Reverend Smith says that although Mrs. White enjoys socialization during Church activities and plays the organ, she comes across as being quiet and reserved. Her husband does not accompany her to Church. Mabel Jones suggested that Mrs. White had an unhappy marriage and Church activities were the only opportunity she had to socialize. It would appear that the defendant has few people to turn to when in need of financial and general support. During the interview it became clear that Mrs. White was fearful of her husband learning about "her secret" following the conviction. Therefore it would appear that the defendant does not feel able to discuss financial and personal issues with her husband. However, it is also notable that the Mrs. White had sufficient funds to pay for the blouse. Therefore it may be that she made a conscious decision to steal even where she had the money to pay for the blouse.
The defendant appears to be a healthy 43 year old woman. There are no indicators of a physical or mental disability. However, Mrs. White appears to be socially isolated and living in a marriage that is deceptively unhappy. Her friend Mabel Jones and her Church minister Reverend John Smith agree with this assessment. The defendant presents as a timid woman who is overwhelmed by the situation she finds herself in. Her fear of retribution or rejection from her husband appears to be well founded based on the interview with her Church minister and close friend. The defendant also seems anxious to keep her conviction a secret from her children, to whom she appears to be devoted.
Probation Officer’s Recommendation:
Probation Officer’s Signature
