Leo Boland: Balgowlah Heights man charged after allegedly running over kangaroos, mutilating body

A northern beaches man has pleaded not guilty to animal cruelty charges over claims he chased down and ran over two kangaroos in a ute, before allegedly mutilating one of their bodies.

Generic photo: The man has been charged over the alleged mutilation of a kangaroo near Lithgow. Picture: AAP

A northern beaches man allegedly chased down and deliberately ran over two kangaroos, including a joey, before mutilating one of the animals’ bodies.

Balgowlah Heights resident Leo Boland, 20, allegedly swerved a Holden Colorado ute into the animals near Running Stream, about 60km north of Lithgow, on July 19.

Boland is facing one charge each of torturing, beating and seriously injuring an animal, recklessly beating and seriously injuring an animal, and failing to disclose the identity of a driver or passenger as required.

He did not appear in Manly Local Court on Wednesday, when his lawyer pleaded not guilty on his behalf.

In documents tendered to the court, police allege Boland, “with the intention of inflicting severe pain, committed a serious act of cruelty” on the kangaroos.

Manly Local Court, where the case was mentioned on Wednesday. Picture: Monique Harmer

Police claim he caused “prolonged suffering” to the animals when he allegedly “deliberately swerved, chased and ran down two kangaroos while driving” the ute.

In a statement, NSW Police said officers from the northern beaches began an investigation in September after CCTV footage, showing a vehicle deliberately running over kangaroos, was “located”.

Police charged Boland on October 18 and issued him a court attendance notice.

Officers said they would allege in court the 20-year-old not only ran down the animals, but also mutilated the body of one of the kangaroos.

The matter is due back in Manly Local Court on February 5.

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