Allan Robert Forbes asks for bail after new animal abuse charges

A man convicted on 55 counts of animal cruelty has asked a court to release him from Mobilong Prison to live at the place the animals were kept.

A reptile catcher convicted of 55 counts of animal cruelty, who was then rearrested and charged with further similar charges, has asked a court to release him to an address where the animals were kept – but promises he won’t reoffend.

On Wednesday, Allan Robert Forbes asked the Adelaide Magistrates Court to release him on bail from the Mobilong Prison where he was moved after his arrest on further animal abuse charges.

Forbes, 45, was last year found guilty in his absence of 55 counts of having ill-treated an animal, the court has heard.

The Environment Department had alleged Forbes, a reptile breeder, had kept 55 protected species in separate enclosures without a permit.

Forbes, meanwhile, accused the department of “taking my reptiles” and “selling off my snakes” after seizing them. The court heard this did not occur.

Snake-catcher Allan Forbes was found guilty of animal cruelty last year, but is facing fresh charges. Picture: Facebook

The court on Wednesday heard Forbes’ wife had notified the Environment Department that her husband had further snakes at a property leased by his mother, where the couple were living, in November last year.

He was subsequently arrested, and charged with a further 13 counts of ill treating an animal.

“Those charges relate to eight death adder snakes, as well as other reptiles,” counsel for the Environment Department told Magistrate Maria Panagiotidis.

“We are opposed to all forms of bail due to the risk of Mr Forbes reoffending upon his release,” she said.

“The bail address where Mr Forbes would be residing is the address where the reptiles were seized. Their enclosures remain there, but empty. We say this could increase Mr Forbes’s risk of reoffending.”

She said Forbes’ main source of income was through the reptiles – another reason he could be tempted to fill the enclosures once more.

“There is now effectively a shed at the proposed bail address with a number of containers snakes were seized from and they are now empty. It would take great strength, in my submission, for Mr Forbes to withstand the temptation to commit further offending.”

He’s asked a court for bail, saying he won’t reoffend. Picture: Facebook

Forbes’ lawyer said that if Ms Panagiotidis were to consider granting her client bail, there could be conditions imposed to stop him being in possession of any reptiles.

“He’s never spent time in custody before this,” his lawyer said.

“His mum says she can put up a $500 guarantee, and he could also be monitored by the Department of Corrections consistently.

“It would also be easier to obtain instructions from my client if he were released on bail.”

Ms Panagiotidis adjourned the matter to consider granting bail on the next occasion.

Forbes will return to court later this month.