Deborah Lynne Roberts, 55, fronts Alice Springs Local Court charged with death of 71 cattle
A woman accused of withholding water from cattle for almost a fortnight, which resulted in their deaths, has fronted court for the first time in Alice Springs.
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A woman accused of withholding water from cattle for almost a fortnight which resulted in their deaths has fronted court for the first time in Alice Springs.
Deborah Lynne Roberts, 55, appeared in the Alice Springs Local Court on Tuesday.
She faces a charge of cruelty to animals and minimum level of care under the Animal Protection Act 2018 in relation to the March 2023 deaths of 71 cattle at the Arid Zone Research Institute, south of Alice Springs.
Police allege during a 10-day period, the cattle were not given access to drinking water, nor were they checked on.
The charges were laid after a year-long internal investigation by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Trade was referred to police.
Ms Roberts was represented by Michael Penman, who entered a not guilty plea on behalf of his client.
Ms Roberts sat at the back of the gallery, flanked by supporters.
Judge Carly Ingles adjourned the matter to February 6, 2025.
Ms Roberts is not required to attend court at her next appearance.
The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries lists Ms Roberts as the farm manager for the Arid Zone Research Institute.
While police said she worked for the department at the time of the deaths, the department did not respond to this masthead’s query asking if she was still employed.
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Originally published as Deborah Lynne Roberts, 55, fronts Alice Springs Local Court charged with death of 71 cattle
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