Twins still waiting for reward
2009-12-28 Source：northernstar
THE TUNTABLE Creek twins who made national headlines after handing in $100,000 to police three months ago didn't get an extra Christmas present this year. Police said their inquiries were continuing and no determination had been made on the future of the money. The boys found the cash on the banks of Tuntable Creek, near their favourite fishing hole, in September and handed it into police shortly after. The question on every-one's lips since then has been whether or not the boys would get to keep the windfall should it go unclaimed. Their mother, Robyn, said the family was happy to just enjoy the holidays at this stage, while the boys were busy contemplating their futures after doing well in their Higher School Certificate exams. While three months is a common time-frame for the resolution of claims on lost and found items, Lismore criminal lawyer Sophie Anderson said there was no hard or fast rule. "Really it depends on the police inquiries," she said. "Obviously with such a large sum of money, and the way it was found, there would be questions. "Nobody just loses that kind of money. "It will be interesting to see what the police do, but you can't know for what purposes they might be holding it. "Nor do they have to tell us. "If police can prove the money to be the proceeds of crime, or it is tainted in any way, you would expect them to confiscate it." The Northern Star broke the story on September 21 this year ahead of massive national and international media interest. The Star's online poll ran hot at the time with early responses indicating a 47 to 53 per cent split in favour of keeping the cash. It has since swung back to a 50/50 split. Contrary to the 'finders keepers' claim, the law has a very different view. "The boys did the right thing," said Ms Anderson. "They were required by law to hand it in. "If you keep money that you find it is a criminal offence and you can be charged with larceny by finding." (Edit:Ruby) |
