Greyhound live baiting trial pushed back two months
Two former greyhound trainers charged with animal cruelty, cases that sent shockwaves through the greyhound racing industry, had their case heard in court.
Penrith
Don't miss out on the headlines from Penrith. Followed categories will be added to My News.
- Penrith Council to spend $6.4 million on upgrade projects
- North South link: Council accuses government of ‘delay tactics’
A Magistrate has delayed the trial against a greyhound trainer accused of animal cruelty, while charges against another trainer have been dropped.
Former greyhound trainers Zeke Kadir and Donna Grech were mired in allegations of animal cruelty following an explosive episode of the ABC program Four Corners which exposed the industry’s use of live bait to ‘blood’ greyhounds, sending shockwaves through the racing industry.
Court documents said Kadir allegedly admitted to the illegal practice in two secretly recorded conversations.
Kadir’s lawyer successfully vacated his client’s trial date, which was due to start on Monday on two charges of animal cruelty, in Penrith District Court this afternoon.
Grech was ‘no billed’, meaning the prosecution will no longer pursue their case against her.
The fallout from the program led to the greyhound racing industry being banned in 2016, however the ban was overturned before it was due to come into effect in July, 2017.
Kadir and Grech were among a number of high-profile trainers suspended in NSW, including Tony and John Cauchi, John O’Brien, and Ian Morgan.
Both Kadir and Grech strongly denied any wrongdoing, and had a win in 2017 when Judge Mark Buscombe ruled none of the material could be admitted in court.
However, a High Court ruling in February means the recordings, but not the videos, can be admitted in trial.
Kadir testified in court that he was unaware the trial would be starting on Monday and denied receiving any correspondence from his lawyers.
He said he’d previously been with a Newcastle based law firm, but a legal bill of “$150,000” meant he couldn’t continue paying them.
“I came to court on Monday to find out what my charges were, and I went home with three bits of paper,” he said.
“I originally thought Monday was just a mention, but I saw it was a three-day trial.
“I’ll have to borrow money, which would be my son trying to take a loan out for me.”
Judge Mark Buscombe vacated the trial date, setting a new trial to begin on April 27.
“I’m far from happy, but at the same time I feel if it’s possible to provide the accused with a little bit of time to engage with lawyers who can appear for him, I should do so,” he said.
“His explanation doesn’t seem plausible, but I’m prepared to accept that he’s not in a position to be represented in trial next week.”