February 09, 2009
Trial told of ransom demand for classic Holdens
Kidnap-style “Proof of life” photographs were given to the owner of two classic limited edition Holdens that the crown says were stolen in a burglary and then held for ransom.
The High Court at Christchurch was told that the owner, a 44-year-old truck driver and Holden enthusiast, was given photographs with the number plates of the cars, and with the registration tags alongside that day’s edition of The Press newspaper.
The cars had been locked, inside a locked garage, in a locked yard, the owner said in evidence. After they disappeared on the morning of March 5, he had not slept or eaten for four days.
He was eventually contacted by a businessman who said he had been approached by a “mystery man” in his shop and asked to approach the cars’ owner about a payment for return of the cars.
The owner had contacted news media and two local newspapers had carried reports about the missing cars, with reference to a $5000 reward.
In his discussions with the businessman, who was acting as go-between, the owner was told that the $5000 offered was not enough for return of the cars and the price was “$17,000 ransom”.
He was warned that if the police were involved, the cars would be burnt.
The vehicles were a Holden Senator and a Holden Walkinshaw. The Senator was one of only 63 made with manual controls, and there may be only three of the Walkinshaws in Christchurch. Only 750 were ever made, so that the model could be raced at Bathurst.
The cars were sought-after, collectors’ vehicles, worth a total of about $60,000.
On trial today are Michael Anthony James, an unemployed 47-year-old, and Shaun Thomas Guest, an unemployed 29-year-old who deny charges of burglary.
Those two, as well as Craig Phillip Barron, 42, a panel beater, also deny charges of demanding $17,000 with intent to steal.
Kylie Jane Mackenzie, 33, denies a charge of receiving one of the stolen cars.
The trial before Justice Christine French and a jury is expected to last all the week.
The owner arranged a loan and paid over the $17,000 to the businessman, and he was later told where he could pick up the cars in the street in Sumner and Addington.
He said he had involved the police, who had photocopied the money he paid.
Crown prosecutor Tim Mackenzie said the police moved in the next day, and found $14,200 of the money wrapped in a balaclava behind the glove box in James’ car. James’ fingerprints were also found inside one of the cars, on a piece of ignition that had been broken off when it was hot-wired.