PERTH, Australia — An uncle of late actor Heath Ledger appeared in an Australian court Monday on charges connected to the alleged theft of three tractors.

Haydn Ledger, 52, appeared in Midland Magistrates Court the southwestern city of Perth charged with receiving stolen goods. He did not enter a plea, however his bail was extended and the hearing was then adjourned until Aug. 26.

Police say one tractor was stolen from a building site on June 1 and two others from a contractor's yard on July 6.

Philip Saunders, 40, was charged last week with stealing two of the tractors and with illegal possession of a weapon and drug possession.

Ledger's lawyer George Giudice argued Monday that the charges should be heard in magistrates court, where Ledger could receive a maximum penalty of two years imprisonment or a fine equivalent to about 24,000 Canadian dollars. But prosecutors want the charges heard in district court, where they carry a maximum penalty of 14 years in jail.

Ledger is a brother of Heath Ledger's father. Heath Ledger died of an accidental prescription drug overdose in January.