KEY POINTS:
Three people yesterday admitted demanding a $17,000 "ransom" for two classic limited-edition Holdens that had been stolen from a collector.
Shaun Thomas Guest, Michael Anthony James and Craig Phillip Barron pleaded guilty to intending to steal the money from the collector, after the disappearance of the cars from a Christchurch garage in March 2007.
The trial, in the High Court at Christchurch, earlier heard how the collector, a 44-year-old truck driver, had been presented with "proof of life" pictures by a go-between, and was told to raise a $5000 reward offered in the press to $17,000 if he wanted them returned unharmed.
The owner said in evidence he had not eaten or slept properly in the four days after the theft of the cars, a Holden Senator and a Holden Walkinshaw worth a combined $60,000.
The Crown said the owner was told that the money was ransom to get the cars back, and that they would be burned if the police were involved.
The owner paid $17,000 to the go-between, and was later told where to pick up the cars. He then involved the police, who had photocopied the money he used.
Tim Mackenzie, the Crown prosecutor, said police found $14,200 of the money in a balaclava behind the glove box in James' car. James' fingerprints were found inside one of the Holdens.
The trial ended abruptly with the end of the Crown's case, with Justice Christine French hearing a flurry of legal applications that resulted in the guilty pleas and the dismissal of burglary charges against Guest and James.
Kylie Jane Mackenzie, 33, Guest's sister, was also cleared of receiving one of the two stolen Holdens. Her lawyer said evidence showed it was commonplace for her brother to store cars on her property and she had no cause for suspicion.
Justice French called for pre-sentence reports and reports on the suitability of home detention. Guest and Barron were granted bail and James, a serving prisoner, was remanded in custody. Sentencing will be on March 26.
- NZPA, NZ HERALD
