Youth admits attacking sheep

Press, 28 March 1979, Page 26

Youth admits attacking sheep

PA Hamilton A Cambridge youth who helped batter penned sheep to death could give no explanation for his actions when he appeared in the Magistrate’s Court at Hamilton. Sergeant G. Farrell said that Terry Te Hula, aged 18, and two juvenile associates went to the Cambridge saleyards at 10.45 p.m. on February 27, where 37 lambs and ewes were being held. Te Huia attacked the sheep about the head with a wooden batten, killing two and maiming others, Sergeant Farrell said. The defendant then took an iron bar and beat a number of the animals over the head and body. “Some were killed" but

some survived and were found in a state of agony and had to be destroyed,” Sergeant Farrell said. As a result of the attack, 26 lambs and three ewes died. Te Huia, who pleaded guilty to a charge of aggravated cruelty, said he had been drinking before the incident, but did not consider himself drunk. “The defendant said he could give no explanation for his actions,” Sergeant Farrell said. Mr A. J. Ryan, S.M. remanded Te Huia on bail to April 12 for a report and sentence. The two associates, who appeared in the Children and Young Persons Court will appear for sentence on the same date.