Men accused of mass horse kill to fight charges in Supreme Court

TWO men charged over the shooting death of 30 horses at an NT cattle station in September will contest a string of animal cruelty and property damage offences

Representatives from Killarney Station outside the Katherine Local Court on Monday. Picture: Che Chorley

• Two men, 38 and 40, summonsed over shooting of 30 horses at Killarney Station in September

TWO men charged over the shooting death of 30 horses at an NT cattle station in September will contest a string of animal cruelty and property damage offences.

The joint case against Glenn Littlechild and Timothy James Playford was mentioned in the Katherine Local Court for the first time on Monday where defence counsel Jon Bortoli said both men would fight the charges.

The joint case against Glenn Littlechild and Timothy James Playford was mentioned in the Katherine Local Court for the first time on Monday. Picture: Che Chorley

Mr Bortoli applied to have the matter adjourned for a directions hearing in January “given the size of the brief” with a view to proceeding to a contested hearing in the Local Court.

But police prosecutor Leighton Arnolt said the prosecution would not consent to the case being heard summarily and requested a committal mention so the case could be heard by a Supreme Court judge.

MORE NT COURT NEWS

Criminal lawyers have fresh hope for justice system reform under new Attorney-General

Supreme Court welcomes newest justice Sonia Brownhill in ceremonial sitting

Man beat 58-year-old because he thought he was a drug dealer, court hears

Representatives of Killarney Station, where the horses were shot, were present in court but declined to comment on Monday.

Station management first reported 30 of their horses had been shot and killed on September 19.

“The loss of these horses has had a massive impact on staff, management and (the) principals of Killarney station,” Killarney Station manager Jamie Laurisson said.

OFFER EXTENDED: Amazing NT News subscription offer: Read everything for $1

Judge Greg Borchers granted the adjournment and the charges against both men, neither of whom were present in court, will next be mentioned in the committal stream in Katherine on January 20.

Follow @jas_walls