Court: Tyson Bothur was looking for crocodiles to steal but ended up with an echidna

A DRUNK man was “searching for crocodiles” when he broke into the Currumbin Sanctuary and stole Piggie the echidna, a court was told.

Southport Court. Tyson Bothur Meagan Weymes has ID'D No Byline Please.

A DRUNK man was “searching for crocodiles” when he broke into the Currumbin Sanctuary and stole Piggie the echidna, a court was told.

Tyson Bothur, 20, pleaded guilty in the Southport Magistrates Court this afternoon to charges of animal cruelty, enter premises and drug possession in relation to the incident on August 1.

Police prosecutor Senior Constable Donna Minns said another man took the echidna out of the enclosure then passed it to Bothur, who climbed the fence with it.

Piggie the echidna pictured at the Currumbin Sanctuary.

Sen Constable Minns said Bothur told police he could not recall where he got the mask and could not identify the other man involved.

She said he claimed they were searching for crocodiles at the time but couldn’t find them.

Bothur, who represented himself in court, said what he did was “silly” and that he’d learnt his lesson.

“It was a stupid mistake, your honour.”

Magistrate John Costanzo said at Bothur was old enough to know better and had been sentenced four times in two years.

“The law is the law, you treat it as if its optional, it’s not.”

Bothur was placed on a two year probation order and will have to pay $740 in restitution to the Currumbin Sanctuary.