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Fugitive snake catcher Allan Robert Forbes, found guilty of cruelty in his absence, caught and charged with more offences

A snake-catcher who ran from animal cruelty charges – while having the runs – has been himself caught and accused of more than a dozen more offences.

Snake found in toilet roll

A loose-bowelled reptile catcher who, after getting the runs, went on the run and was found guilty of animal cruelty in his absence has been caught – and charged with 13 more offences.

After 10 months as a fugitive, Allan Robert Forbes faced the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Tuesday by video link from Mobilong Prison.

His counsel asked he be released on home detention bail – a request that failed to impress Magistrate Maria Panagiotidis.

She said that, in addition to the Environment Department laying more charges against Forbes since his arrest in November, he owed her “an explanation”.

“This man went AWOL for a long time, I conducted an entire trial in his absence and now there’s further charges,” she said.

“I’m not inclined to grant him bail just because he’s here asking for it.”

Snake-catcher Allan Forbes was found guilty of animal cruelty. Picture: Facebook
Snake-catcher Allan Forbes was found guilty of animal cruelty. Picture: Facebook

Forbes, 43, was found guilty in his absence of 55 counts of having ill-treated an animal.

The Environment Department had alleged Forbes, a reptile breeder, had kept 55 protected reptiles 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.

His trial, in which he represented himself, was not without incident – first, he dashed from the courtroom to the bathroom, claiming he had diarrhoea and needed an ambulance.

Forbes did not attend court again and a warrant was issued for his arrest – he was apprehended in November and has been in custody since.

Forbes was found guilty in his absence, having not attended his trial. Picture: Facebook
Forbes was found guilty in his absence, having not attended his trial. Picture: Facebook

On Tuesday, counsel for the Environment Department said Forbes had been charged with 13 additional counts of having ill-treated an animal following a search of his parents’ home.

They said it would be alleged he had kept 11 venomous snakes, a monitor and a children’s python in the same unsuitable conditions as the prior 55 reptiles.

Counsel for Forbes said it was “likely” he would plead guilty to those charges but could not confirm his instructions as “Legal Aid funding has not been obtained”.

Ms Panagiotidis remanded Forbes in custody until January, noting she would consider a bail application on that date provided it was made formally, with paperwork lodged.

Original URL: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/truecrimeaustralia/police-courts-sa/fugitive-snake-catcher-allan-robert-forbes-found-guilty-of-cruelty-in-his-absence-caught-and-charged-with-more-offences/news-story/84c1807813c12d4bcc819372d63b1c76