Todd Foran: Jail sentence slashed for illegally hunting goats

A man convicted of a raft of crimes, including illegally entering land to hunt for goats in the state’s central west, has successfully had his sentence slashed.

Todd Foran (left) has had his jail sentence slashed. Picture: Google

A man who illegally hunted goats on a rural property in the state’s central west has had his jail sentence slashed.

Todd Nelson Foran, 39, who was originally sentenced to five years in jail in July, has had his sentence cut to a five-month intensive corrections order on appeal.

He had pleaded guilty to two counts of unlawfully entering inclosed lands with hunting dogs, two counts of hunting without permission, one count of intentionally damaging property, one count of driving while his licence was cancelled and one count of not disclosing the identity of a driver or passenger earlier this year.

The charges stemmed from a series of incidents which occurred in November last year near Nyngan and Carinda.

Witnesses spotted Foran with two kelpie dogs by his side, trying to hunt goats on two large properties.

The original sentence Todd Foran was excessive, a judge has ruled. Picture: NSW Police

Police investigating the incidents also uncovered a damaged fence, which had been driven through by a Toyota Landcruiser Foran was travelling in.

Foran refused to reveal details about who was in the vehicle, but he had been seen driving it while his licence was cancelled.

Walgett Local Court magistrate Fiona Toose sentenced Foran to five years in jail and a non-parole period of 45 months.

At a severity appeal in hearing in the Dubbo District Court on Thursday, Foran’s lawyer William Bruffey said the sentence was too harsh.

“His record is not a lengthy one, he has no hunting offences on his record,” Mr Bruffey said.

“Mr Foran has already served four months and 26 days for these offences, the majority of his record is mainly driving offences.”

Dubbo District Court judge Nanette Williams set aside the original sentence Foran was given. Picture: Jedd Manning

Judge Nanette Williams said the statement of agreed police facts Foran’s sentence was based on was “sparse”.

“I had to read them a few times to work out where the criminality laid,” judge Williams said.

“I find the sentence imposed in the Local Court to be excessive.”

Foran had no guns, no one was injured and there was no planning present, judge Williams said.

“All of the classic aggravating features, in my view, were absent.

“There are positive prospects for his rehabilitation, if he is rehabilitated there is much less threat to community safety.”

Judge Williams allowed the appeal and set aside the original sentence Foran was given.

Foran was handed a five-month intensive corrections order and disqualified from driving for six months.