ALLEGED THEFT OF SHEEP

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19001, 25 October 1923, Page 11

ALLEGED THEFT OF SHEEP

CHARGE AGAINST STOCK DEALER. (Pep, United Peeps Association.) PALMERSTON NORTH, October 24. At film Police Court to-day, Richard Benjamin Knight, stock dealer, was charged with the theft at Feilding on July 28 of 345 ewes, valued at £440, the property of Joseph M. Bennett. Evidence was given that Bennett and accused had a long-stand-ing arrangement that the latter should buy sheep in complainant’s name and do the droving. Except on three occasions the agreement had been regularly carried out. Evidence was given of several stock deals made by accused at Pahiatua, Ekctahuna, and Mangatainoka, the stock being later sold to other farmers. Detective Culloty deposed that when questioned at a farm near Hamilton after his disappearance accused produced a new pair of boots, saying: “This is all I’ve got left of the sheep,” and stating that the rest of the money had gone at the races in Christchurch. Counsel submitted that accused had bought 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 for them. The mere fact that Bennett was financing Knight did not make the sheen Bennett’s.

The Bench decided that a prima facie case had been made out. Accused pleaded not guilty and was committed for trial, bail being renewed.