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 bottle merchant who lived in Darling Street. His 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.

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 kid nap 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 tndicated that the kid napping 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 con tact 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 Detec tives A. J. Seletto and C. H. Bingham, land First-Constable Hawkes, it is ex pected that a charge will be laid later today.