Bega Court House. Photo: Ian Campbell.
Editor’s note: distressing image below.
A young man responsible for the hit and run deaths of 21 kangaroos at Tura Beach in September has been sentenced in Bega Local Court.
Nathan Sanger, 20, of Numbugga, pled guilty and was charged with ‘torture, beat and death of an animal’ for which the maximum sentence is five years imprisonment.
However, Sanger has avoided jail time and received a two-year intensive corrections order and was ordered to serve 500 hours of community service for his role in the deaths of the Eastern Grey Kangaroos on September 28.
In delivering the sentence, Magistrate Doug Dick made the link between animal cruelty and the potential to inflict pain and suffering on humans.
Sanger’s defence lawyer noted in court that Sanger was remorseful for his actions, had no criminal record and that the public condemnation for his actions would supply further cause for his rehabilitation.
CCTV footage shows that three men were in the white Mazda ute with ACT plates at the time of the crime.
WIRES carer Janine Green who cared for a number of surviving joeys. Photo: ABC South East NSW, WIRES.
Appearing alongside Sanger in court was Ashley Sorenson, 33, the registered owner of the vehicle that hit the kangeroos.
A third man, who was in the backseat of the vehicle has not been charged.
The police fact sheet held at Bega Court reports that Sanger told police that Sorensen had “grabbed the steering wheel to try to hit more kangaroos.”
A text on Sanger’s phone from Sorenson on the night of September 28, found by police, said – “what’s the grand total?”.
A letter from Potoroo Palace, a native animal education sanctuary in Merimbula, was presented in court as support for Sanger’s regret for his actions and stated that Sanger had been volunteering at the sanctuary prior to sentencing.
Sorenson’s case has been adjourned to January 14, 2020.
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