You Muppets: Big Bird Bandits fly to freedom with slap on the wrist for Sesame Street Swindle

The Big Bird Bandits who stole – and then returned – a Sesame Street circus costume have been sentenced for their “foolish and immature prank”.

The Big Bird Bandits who swiped a $137,000 Sesame Street costume have escaped conviction for their “impulsive act”.

Magistrate Briony Kennewell labelled the trio’s actions a “foolish and immature prank” but conceded none of them had any idea of the value of the costume, and they had voluntarily returned it.

The heist made international headlines – and the two main perpetrators embraced the limelight by turning up to court wearing outfits that would have been the height of style in the 1970s.

Tasman Binder, 23, of Murray Bridge, Cody Alain Milne, 26, of Norwood, and Amelia Margaret Hurt, 21, of Woodville Park, were let off without time behind bars but told not to waste the opportunity.

They each pleaded guilty in February to one aggravated offence of dishonestly dealing with property without consent when they stole the costume between April 18 and 19 last year from Bonython Park.

Tasman Binder and Cody Milne in their 1970s-inspired court attire. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Dean Martin

Amelia Hurt was not ordered to do community service because she played a lesser role in the crime. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Naomi Jellicoe

Cody Milne leaves court after Monday’s sentencing. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Naomi Jellicoe

Tasman Binder leaves court after Monday’s sentencing. Picture: NCA NewsWire/Naomi Jellicoe

The Adelaide Magistrates Court heard the Bandits were driving home from picking up a subwoofer speaker they found on Facebook Marketplace when they drove past the circus and pulled over.

The men exited the vehicle, made their way inside the tent and saw the costume hanging up on a coat hanger, thinking it would be “funny” to take it with them.

Hurt only became involved after she saw her friends with the costume and picked up the bird’s legs to help them stow Big Bird in the car boot, the court was told.

The costume was later returned in an “OK” condition but the metal was bent and it had to be washed and dried, which took three employees about eight hours.

The prosecutor told the court last month the circus director had stated the offending impacted his business and risked Sesame Street cancelling their contract.

Big Bird was returned to the circus site and found propped up against an electricity box. Picture: SA Police

An apology letter from ‘the Big Bird Bandits’ accompanied the costume. Picture: SA Police

Milne and Binder also pleaded guilty to two counts of failing to comply with their bail agreement, after they stayed at the Crown and Anchor Hotel in Adelaide past their curfew and saw each other on May 16 last year in breach of their conditions.

The court heard Milne hopes to work in childcare in the future, while Hurt has aspirations to become a paramedic.

The court heard Binder’s ex-partner was killed in a car crash in 2020, and he bonded with Milne over the tragic loss.

Ms Kennewell said the trio’s theft was a “foolish and immature prank” but they now realised the conduct was not a joke.

“It was an impulsive act that was committed with thoughtlessness for the impact on the victim,” she said.

Ms Kennewell said Milne was the oldest member of the group and should have known better.

She sentenced Milne to a $500 two-year good behaviour bond and to complete 105 hours of community service within 12 months.

Binder and Hurt received the same sentence, but Binder only needs to complete 75 hours of community service and Hurt wasn’t required to complete any.

“I urge you all to make the most of the opportunity you’ve been given,” Ms Kennewell said.