THE GOAT ESCAPE Stolen animals returned after thieves tricked
THE alleged killer of Cooktown mum Donna Steele remains in custody after facing court for her murder.
Matthew Ross White, 25, was arrested at his Cairns home on Friday and charged with murder, interfering with a corpse and entering a dwelling with intent. He faced the Cairns Magistrates Court on Saturday and was remanded until May 2.
Queensland police said the pair were known to each other, and that evidence would prove White was in Cooktown on August 2, when Ms Steele was last seen at the local IGA.
Her body was found in the Endeavour River four days later, sparking a massive sevenmonth investigation that involved searches of homes, properties and waterways.
Detective Inspector Geoff Marsh said police believe White was alone when he killed Ms Steele, but would not comment on his motive. He dismissed suggestions a $ 250,000 reward offered led to the breakthrough. THIEVES have been tricked into returning stolen animals from a Townsville property thanks to subterfuge on social media.
Three young goats were taken from Sun City Trees in Stuart on Saturday night.
The goats’ owner, Danielle Josey, realised they were missing about 5.30pm and contacted police. Thanks to the cunning of friend Belinda Jarvis, with the help of social media, the goats were returned to the grateful owner yester- day. Ms Jarvis took to Facebook, warning the thieves they had been “caught on CCTV”.
“To the people in the white Toyota Landcruiser with two tool tradie boxes on the back who stole goats from Stuart we have you on CCTV,” she wrote.
“Nice clear shots and your licence plate number. Return the goats back to the business you stole them from tonight or the stock police will become involved first thing tomorrow.
“Stealing livestock laws haven’t changed for many years you will find yourself in a world of hurt.”
Ms Josey said the next morning the goats “just appeared” on the property. She believes the thieves were PART OF THE FAMILY: Declan Josey- Clancy, 10, with cousins Nevaeh Josey, 8, and one- year- old Denvah Josey feeding baby goats at the property where three others were stolen on Saturday and later returned. “young men” and people she knew.
“They’re all back home,” she said. “I’m still not sure whether we will press charges.
“Hopefully they have learnt their lesson that you don’t just go and steal from people.” friends of
The goats, worth about $ 150 each, have much more than their face value to Ms Jarvis and her family.
“My sister was ill in hospital and a real animal person,” she said. “” She has a little boy and I have two little girls. My father bought three baby goats for each of them. While she was in hospital my dad showed her photos of the baby goats and said you need to get better and come home and meet the babies. She died on January 13.
“When the children found out the goats were gone they were beside themselves.”
Ms Jarvis said there was no footage of the theft and said it was “a bluff that worked”.
“They were seen jumping the fence and the ute was seen but no one saw the licence plate,” she said. “I bluffed hoping it would work and it did.
“I’ve had so many people private message me with their photos and of the car involved.”