ALLEGED THEFT OF CARS: YOUNG MAN IN COURT

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22690, 15 July 1948, Page 6

ALLEGED THEFT OF CARS: YOUNG MAN IN COURT

(P.A.) WELLINGTON, July 14. Thirteen charges involving property worth £21,000 were preferred against Freeman Ronald Raine, aged 26, motor mechanic, beiore Mr. J. S. Hanna in the Police Court today. Senior-Detective G. E. Callaghan, who'prosecuted, said five of the charges related to the theft of motor-cars. In 19 alleged offences covered by these charges evidence would be brought by the police in an effort to show a system. Eight further charges alleged that Raine had obtained cars worth £12,029 by false pretences. There are over 50 witnesses to be heard. KeLh Rex Osborne. R.N.Z.A F., Lower Hutt, said in April, 1948, he advertised his car for sale. The accused called at his home and witness signed a note authorising Raine to sell the car for £350 and handed over the car. He received no money for the car and had not seen Raine until today. The car was to have been sold on a commission basis. About a. fortnight later witness saw his car bearing different number plates in Wellington and he took it to the central police station. To accused’s counsel. Mr. W. J. Stacey, witness said he had also signed a blank transfer form which he knew would give Raine authority to transfer the car to anyone.

Seddon Gray, Lower Hutt. said that after he advertised his car for sale the accused called at his home and witness signed an authority for Raine to take the car to show a possible buyer, name returned without the car and told witness that he wished to buy it himself. Raine subsequently told him that he had sold the car to another man. Raine acknowledged owing witness £325. Witness was later told that he would not get his car back and he could not be paid. Two weeks later he saw his car in Petone and took possession of it. Witness said he signed two papers for Raine, but he did not know what they were. He had never received any money for the car. A farm hand at Pirinoa, Jack Rewai, said he had left his wife's car with tne accused at Trentham. Raine had told him later that the car had been lent to another man and had met with an accident and was beyond repair. The accused had supplied him with another car on which Raine had premised to keep up the payments. The car had been seized later by the vendor as the payments had not’been made.

James Peter Skou, a farmer, said that Raine had offered to sell his car for him and had taken it away. The only money be had received for it was a cheque for £SO. He had not seen the car since.