Mom guilty of theft

AN 18-year-old mother of two who stole a pair of shoes, has been urged to be a better example to her children.
Rebecca Wau from Karintz in the Mendi-Munhiu district, Southern Highlands was found guilty of stealing yesterday by the Mt Hagen district court.
Police told the court that last Thursday (Aug 23) Wau stole the shoes by concealing them between her legs and attempting to walk out of the store when she was stopped by guards.
Police told the court that the guards told Wau to pay for the shoes, which cost K26, but she told them she did not have any money at which point they took her to the police station and was charged with stealing and detained for several days.
Wau, who appeared in court from police custody, informed the court that she was married with two children – a two-year-old and a 15-month old infant and her husband was working on the new Baiyer to Madang road.
“You are a young mother and have a baby to look after in the house and I do not know why you go around stealing,” Magistrate Lydia Karre said.
She told Wau that what she did was a shameful, an act mothers with babies should not think of doing.
“As a mother, you must show a good example to your kids, otherwise, they will grow up and steal like you,” Karre said.
“Your husband normally gives money to you, if you asked him, he would buy it for you.”
Karre said that stealing showed a lazy mentality where people did not want to work to earn a living.
Karre released Wau based on the time she spent in custody as well as the low value of the item.
Karre warned Wau not to steal again.