SHEEP STEALING ALLEGED

Hokitika Guardian, 14 August 1930, Page 5

SHEEP STEALING ALLEGED

VERDICT OF NOT GUILTY

NAPIER, August. 12,

A plea of not guilty was entered at the Supreme Court in the case in which Edwin Charles Allison was charged with the theft of twenty-one sheep, valued at £lB 10s, the property of Edward Henry Thompson, and alternatively with receiving the sheep knowing them to have been dishonestly obtained. The evidence given by the Crown went to show that nineteen of the sheep wei'e found in a woolshed on accused’s proporty bearing Thompon’s earmark but the brand of accused’s brother, who was joint administrator with accused in his estate. The .skins of two further sheep were found bearing the earmark of Thompson.

The defence was that accused knew little about farming, having been engaged with his brother Reuben, who had been on the place all his life, only, since October last.' Reuban, who had pleaded guilty to the same charge In the lower court, did all the managing of the property and accused was not aware that sheep belonging to Thompson were on the property. After a retirement of two hours the jury returned a verdict of not guilty. Other charges of a .similar nature against Allison and his brother Reuben will be heard to-morrow.