Sneddon kidnap threat

In October 1939, a threat was made to kidnap the grandson of William Sneddon of Redan

The details
William Sneddon was a Redan marine dealer and bottle merchant who lived at 504 Darling Street. His large bluestone house was the former home of Redan quarryman, Joseph Rowsell. Sneddon's bottle yard was on the site of John Stevens' auto electrical business in Talbot Street. Sneddon's daughter, Mary Grace Mason, lived next door at 506 Darling Street.

In October 1939, a note threatening to kidnap Sneddon's three year old grandson was found: Alleged Plot To Kidnap Ballarat Boy, BALLARAT, Wednesday. — The day after a radio broadcast of a plot to kidnap a child, Mr W. Sneddon, of Darling Street South, found a note on the gate of his bottle-yard threatening to kidnap his three-year-old grandson, Ronald Mason, who lives with his parents next door. The note indicated that the kidnapping was planned along the exact lines of the radio play. Mrs Sneddon, the boy's grandmother, told the story today. A copy of the note read:— "We are desirous that you pay us the sum of £20 in single notes within 24 hours, which we feel sure you will pay us. Don't try to contact the police, that would be foolish and fatal. You are being watched closely, so we warn you that your little grandson would disappear. You know what we mean. We could do other things, also, so try to save yourself a lot of money. We will collect the money. Place the money in a tin, and put it on the corner post of the Pleasant Street reserve, near the old gas light, at 8 o'clock tomorrow. Don't attempt anything or it will be too bad for both of you. Don't think this is a joke. It is not. Twenty pounds is a very cheap price for a life." The note was signed "Herr Slostch."

POLICE WATCH Mrs Sneddon said that some paper was put in a tin on the post the next night, while detectives watched the spot, but no one came for it. "Since we received the note, Ron's mother has never let him out of her sight," she said. Following investigations by Detectives A. J. Seletto and C. H. Bingham, and First-Constable Hawkes, it is expected that a charge will be laid later today.

Hoax
A neighbour of the Sneddon's, Russell Douglas Kerr, was charged. Kerr was a monumental mason, living at home with his parents, at 607 Ripon Street South: HOAX ADMITTED AT BALLARAT. Youth for Trial. BALLARAT, Tuesday -Russell Douglas Kerr, aged 19 years labourer, of Ripon street south, was charged in the City court to-day with having demanded with menaces £20 from William Sneddon of Darling street. Mr. F. Gavan Duffy appeared for Kerr. It was stated that at 4. 30 p.m. on October 17 Mr. Sneddon found, between the gateposts of his home, which adjoined that of Kerr, a pencilled note in printed lettering, which warned him that his little grandson would "disappear" unless £20 in single notes was placed in a tin on a post in the Pleasant street reserve within 24 hours In reply to Mr Duffy, Sneddon said that he and Russell Kerr had for some years been playing practical jokes on one another, and had been on the best of terms, but this had "gone too far. " He had replied to the note by putting one in the tin at the place directed saying "Please don't forget the receipt." Police put in a statement signed by Kerr, saying that he had listened to a radio and heard a play broadcast. It was about kidnapping of a child in America and receiving a ransom after despatch of a note to the parents. After listening to the broadcast he thought it would be a good idea if he tried something like it himself. Next day he decided to write out a ransom note like the one he had heard in the play, and send it to Mr Sneddon, whom he knew was well off and whom he thought might be frightened into paying the £20 demanded. Kerr added that he did not go to the appointed place next day because he thought Mr Sneddon might have informed the police. Mr Duffy sought to have Kerr dealt with by the Bench, and said that it was an unpardonable, silly hoax and not a menacing, serious demand for money. The Bench committed Kerr for trial at the Ballarat General Sessions on December 5. Bail in two sums of £25 was allowed.

Acquitted
"Kerr, in evidence, said he had listened to a radio kidnapping serial, and decided to imitate the letter and try a joke on Sneddon. He had never expected to get any money from Sneddon as the result." "Youth's Joke. BALLARAT, Tuesday.-After a brief retirement the jury in the Ballarat General Sessions to-day acquitted Russell Douglas Kerr, aged 19 years, monumental mason, of Ripon street, on a charge of having attempted to obtain by menaces £20 from William Sneddon, marine dealer, of Darling street. Judge Foster presided. Mr. H. G. Morrow prosecuted for the Crown; and Mr. Leo. Little (instructed by Messrs. Clarke and Gavan Duffy) appeared for Kerr." "RADIO SERIALS. Judge's Censure. BALLARAT, Tuesday.— 'We have enough to do in this community looking after real criminals without breeding more by wireless,' said Judge Foster in the Ballarat general sessions today, in summing up in a case in which a youth, charged with having sent a letter in which kidnapping was threatened, admitted having sent the letter, which he alleged was only a joke, as the result of being influenced by a radio serial. His Honor suggested it was a matter that might come under the notice of the Commissioner of Police."