HEIDELBERG NEWS 16th September 1916
SERIOUS CHARGE OF THEFT.
Wm. Wilson v. John Henry McLeod, the charge being that on August 4, he did steal a pony, jinker and harness of the value of £30. Constable Costello related what took place with reference to the accused get- ting the turnout and the subsequent arrest. Jane Ellen Wilson stated on oath that she was a livery stable keeper in Buck- land street, Heidelberg. On August 4 she received a telephone message about 10.30 a.m., asking if she could hire a rubber tired jinker and horse to go to Black Rock. In the afternoon about 4 accused called at the stables and gave his name as Withers, saying that he lived at Black Rock. He said that his mother was ill at Mrs Burgess's, Hawdon street, and he wanted the rubber tired jinker to take her to Black Rock. Witness let him have the turnout, and he said he would return at five o'clock the following evening. The horse and jinker outside the court were hers. He was to pay 30/- for the hire for two days, and paid £1/8/6 before leaving. He left with the turnout. The next day the witness received a telephone message from accused, asking if he could keep it another day. Witness said "No, you must return it at once." He replied that he would bring it back without fail. They were not returned, and she did not authorise him or anyone else to dispose of them. The horse, jinker and harness were valued at £35. Wm. Wilson said he was driver and manager for his mother in Heidelberg, and he got the turnout ready for accused, who told him that his mother was taken sick and he wanted to get her to Black Rock. George R. Kanake, of Sydney road, Brunswick, gave evidence to the effect that about August 1 he put a notice in his window advertising a house to let in Black Rock. In response accused called and rented the house for a week, paying 17/6, also saying that he might want it for two weeks, as he and his mother were going to spend a holiday. Witness stated that on August 4 accused went to his shop in a light jinker, and said that was the jinker he had spoken to him (witness) about. Witness had a look at it, and asked him what he wanted for it, and he said £6. Witness got in the jinker, drove up the road and back to the shop, and said he would not give more than £5, which accused accepted, and gave a receipt, signing his name as Geo. Thomson. Witness identified accused and the turnout. Edward Ethel, detective, Melbourne, stated that on the 19th ult., in company with Detective Collins, he arrested the accused on another charge, in Queen Street, Melbourne. Witness said to accused that on August 4 a man answering to his description hired a horse, jinker and harness from Mrs Wilson, Heidelberg, and later in the same day sold it to Kanake,of Brunswick-do you know anything about this. Accused said yes and said he did not give his right name when hiring it. He signed his name to the statement as john McLeod. Accused, who pleaded not guilty, was committed for trial at the session on 2nd October. There are also two other charges against him, under the names of McLeod and Thomson, to be heard at Northcote on Monday