MELBOURNE, Monday. - A young farmer appeared in General Sessions to-day charged with having sent threatening anonymous letters demanding £500 from the manager of Autoterms Ltd., Donald Speed.
Alan Howard Lannin, 21, of Lillimur, who pleaded not guilty, said he did not intend to carry out threats in the letter and that he considered Speed's firm owed him the £500.
Lannin said he bought an Army disposals truck and trailer, supposed to be in good condition, for £790, but spent more than £250 on repairs.
Speed said Lannin had surrendered any claim to return of his money when he signed a voluntary surrender form. The hearing i unfinished.
In the City Court to-day charges against Donald Speed, 37, and Alan Leslie Penrose were adjourned until January 14.
They are charged with having stolen 6,446 radio valves, worth £4,295/10/9, the property of the Commonwealth, at Darwin last October. Bail of £500, with a £500 surety for each man, was granted.
Source: Trove The Sydney Morning Herald (NSW : 1842 - 1954) Tuesday 16 December 1947 Page 4