THEFT FROM TRUCK

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23165, 11 October 1938, Page 18

THEFT FROM TRUCK

QUANTITY OF TOBACCO

DRIVER ALLEGES HOLD-UP

.. ARRESTED AS SUSPECT [from our own correspondent] 'MELBOURNE. Oct. 4 Great police activity followed a report to the effect that four armed men had held up a transport driven by Leslie Henry Bannister on a side road at Keilor late ut night, and had stolen a quantity of cigarettes and tobacco, valued at £279. Bannister said that one man had kept him covered with a revolver while the other tlireo ransacked the transport. Then he was kicked and told that he was lucky to be alive as the men drove away in a car.

The reported circumstances recalled the case of John Thomas Demsey, who was held up and shot dead on a country highway at night last October. His body was found several weeks later, crudely buried in a suck in a bush area many miles from the supposed scene of the hold-up. The goods which were on his truck were never reepvered. Following intensive investigations, Bannistor, was arrested by the police and charged with the larceny of the goods which had been on his truck. Whon ho appeared in the City Court the police asked for a week's remand, which was granted. Sergeant Mudie said it was alleged that Bannister had stolen the goods in company with other men. Protest by Counsel ior Defence "It is time sort of thing was stopped," said Mr. Maurice Goldberg, counsel for Bannister. "This man was held up on a lonely road by four men at the point of a gun. Because he did not allow himself to be callously murdered as Demsey was and made 'Public Hero No. 2,' but acted as a wise and prudent man, it is immediately suggested by the police that he must be implicated. "So ho is thrown into prison and charged," said Mr., Goldberg. "He is being held on mere supicion and guesswork. He wishes me to protest emphatically against his arrest. The police appear to have been stampeded into action simply because of public criticism. I want the police to give some reason for this charge and to explain why they are holding this man. Ho has made no admission and obviously the police are just hoping for the best." / The Magistrate (Mr. McLean): That may be Are the police in a position to "give any information? One Man Known to Accused •Sergeant Mudie: Surely we are not asked to disclose much at this stage. We want further time to make inquiries. Accused lias made certain admissions. He admits that he knows one of the men who robbed the truck. Mr. Goldberg: He can identify one of the men and he has given the police a name. That is the only statement he has made. If the police get this man my client will identify him. Bannister was remanded on bail of £l5O.