23 Dec 2014

Teens in court over Leon MacDonald jersy theft

5:10 pm on 23 December 2014

Two teenagers have been charged over the burglary at the home of former All Black Leon MacDonald.

Leon Macdonald slips past Schalk Burger for a try during the Tri Nations match againt South Africa at Carisbrook in 2005.

Leon Macdonald slips past Schalk Burger for a try during the Tri Nations match againt South Africa at Carisbrook in 2005. Photo: PHOTOSPORT

Police say the boys, aged 16 and 17, were driving a stolen car when officers stopped them.

MacDonald had 15 of his international rugby jerseys stolen from his Blenheim home on Sunday morning.

The 17-year-old youth appeared in court in connection with the burglary, today.

Blake Pelham of Starvation Hill near Oxford, North Canterbury, appeared in the Blenheim District Court this afternoon charged with burglary and receiving a stolen car.

He made no plea and did not apply for bail.

He was due to reappear in court again via video link on January the 6th.

All details of the 16-year-old co-defendant's appearance in the Youth Court were suppressed.

Acting Senior Sergeant Julian Lewis said police were trying to find the rugby jerseys and return them.

Some were MacDonald's own All Black jerseys with his name woven into the fabric and others were jerseys he had swapped with players from other countries.

MacDonald played 56 Tests for the All Blacks after making his debut in 2000 - his last against South Africa in 2008.

Leon MacDonald, with the Crusaders in 2008, fends off the Hurricanes' Hosea Gear.

Leon MacDonald, with the Crusaders in 2008, fends off the Hurricanes' Hosea Gear. Photo: PHOTOSPORT