Matthew Henderson, 60, pleads guilty to lice-infected sheep charge

A lifelong farmer has faced court for selling infected sheep at a Barossa market, with a magistrate hearing he wasn’t aware of the “processes” involved.

An Adelaide hobby farmer and disability support agency director has pleaded guilty after sending lice-infested sheep to a Barossa market last year.

Matthew Henderson faced the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday, where his lawyer argued against a conviction for the 60-year-old.

The court heard last July, Mr Henderson owned and consigned around 58 sheep to the Mount Pleasant Livestock Saleyard, where an inspector suspected – and later confirmed – two of the animals were lice-infested.

Prosecution, on behalf of the Primary Industries and Regions Department, said sheep lice cause “significant” economic issues, potential losses for sheep producers as well as potential animal welfare issue for the sheep industry.

“(They) not only cause severe itching and annoyance to the sheep but … significantly reduces the value of the fleece,” prosecution said.

“And sheep lice transfers easily from sheep to sheep when the fleece from one sheep rubs up against another,” she said, adding that presenting lice-infested sheep at a market exposes other livestock.

The court heard the affected sheep displayed symptoms of heavy lice infestation, which would have taken “likely closely to 12 months” to build up to the level observed by the inspector.

Matthew Henderson faced the Adelaide Magistrates Court on Monday charged with being the owner of lice-infested sheep present at a market. Picture: Zoe Phillips

Mr Henderson, of Eastwood on the edge of the parklands, was issued an expiation for the offence last year but elected to be prosecuted, the court heard.

On Monday, he pleaded guilty to being the owner of lice-infested sheep present at market.

The offence is regulatory and carries a fine, with prosecution seeking a conviction and a fine for the offence.

A lawyer for Mr Henderson told the court his client been involved in farming “in one way or another” throughout his life but also said he was not aware of “processes … in terms of what steps have to be taken with the agent under the regulations” at the time of the offending.

He asked the court to record no conviction and issue “a nominal fine”, adding Mr Henderson no longer runs sheep and runs a hobby farm at a loss.

“Due to financial circumstances he’s also the director for disability support agency under the NDIS, to cover the costs associated with running the farm,” he said. “He’s currently in debt.”

He added a conviction could affect his ability to travel to the US as well as matters such as working-with-children check.

However, Magistrate Simon Smart said he didn’t accept that.

Mr Henderson will return to court later this week.

Originally published as Matthew Henderson, 60, pleads guilty to lice-infected sheep charge