ALLEGED THEFT OF SHEEP

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11659, 25 October 1923, Page 7

ALLEGED THEFT OF SHEEP

STOCK DEADER CHARGED

Per Press Association,

PALMERSTON N., October 24. At the Police Court to-day, Richard Benjamin Knight, stock dealer, was charged that at Feilding on July 28th he did steal 345 ewes, valued at £440. the property of Joseph M. Bennett. Evidence was adduced that Bennett and accused had a long standing arrangement that the latter ehoulcT buy sheep in complainant’s name and do the droving. Except on three occasions the agreement had been regularly carried out. Evidence of several stock deals, made by accused, at Pahiatua, Eketohuna, and Mangatainoka and later sold to other farmers was given. Detective Culloty deposed that when questioned at his farm near Hamilton, after his disappearance, accused produced a new pair of boots saying: “This is all I have left of the sheep,’’ and added that the rest of the money had gone at the races at Christchurch. Counsel submitted that accused had fought the sheep in his own name, and the man could not steal what was sold to him. The charge was “stealing sheep,” not "failing to account.” The mere fact, he said, that Bennett was financing Knight did not make the iheep Bennett’s. The bench decided that a prima facie ;ase had been made out. Accused ileaded not guilty, and was committed for trial. Bail was renewed.