Bruce Press from Reptile Rescue Tasmania accused of keeping carpet python, dead snakes illegally

A snake handler allegedly found with dozens of dead snakes, some kept in his freezer, and a carpet python in his home has faced another delay in his case. What happened in court >

Reptile Rescue Tasmania owner Bruce Press with copperhead snake caught at St. Helens after a cat bit it Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

Update: June 14, 2023 - A snake handler allegedly found with dozens of dead snakes, some kept in his freezer, and a carpet python in his home has faced another delay in his case.

 

Bruce Charles Press, who says he legally changed his name to Bruce Clayard, appeared in-person for a hearing in Hobart Magistrates Court on Wednesday.

However the court was told that one witness who would be called to give expert evidence about the identification of wildlife would not be available.

Prosecutor Elizaveta Belonogoff told Magistrate Andrew McKee that the witness would not need to be called, unless Mr Clayard wanted to cross-examine them – which Mr Clayard ultimately said he would want to do.

Mr Clayard has pleaded not guilty to one count of possess a controlled animal that had been brought into the state, and one count of possess protected wildlife without a permit.

It is alleged that a live carpet python, as well as multiple dead and frozen reptiles including a blotched blue tongue skink, five snakes in an outdoor freezer, a ‘yabby-like species’, and four baby snakes frozen in a bottle were found on Mr Clayard’s property.

Mr Clayard did not appear for his hearing in February, which went ahead ex parte – without Mr Clayard present in the courtroom.

On Wednesday, Mr McKee said he would prefer to have the entire matter heard on the same day, and adjourned the hearing until August.

Mr Clayard was bailed to appear on that date.

Reptile wrangler in court over python, frozen snakes

Initial: February 28, 2023

A Hobart reptile wrangler accused of possessing dozens of frozen dead snakes and keeping a carpet python illegally has failed to show up for his own court hearing.

Bruce Charles Press was set to appear for his hearing in Hobart Magistrates Court on Monday.

He had previously pleaded not guilty to one count of possess a controlled animal that had been brought into the state, and one count of possess protected wildlife without a permit.

In a search warrant of Press’ Swansea home, wildlife officers found a live carpet python, and multiple dead and frozen reptiles including one blotched blue tongue skink, five unidentified snakes in an outside freezer, one yabby-like type species, one unidentified snake in an inside freezer, and four dead baby snakes stored in a bottle in a freezer.

Prosecutor Elizaveta Belonogoff said Press had told officers the live carpet python had come from “up north in Tasmania” and that it had previously been owned as a pet by someone but did not give further details.

Bruce Press from Reptile Rescue Tasmania pictured in Salamanca Place.

The court heard that while the initial address on the warrant was 10 Maria St, Swansea, but Press had given a them a different address.

It was not heard whether another person other than Press had owned the searched property.

Because Press had not been cautioned by the rangers during the warrant, Magistrate Andrew McKee said he would need to consider whether some of Press’ “admissions” recorded on bodyworn cameras would be admissible.

Prosecutor Elizaveta Belonogoff told Mr McKee that he would find the warrant was validly executed, that the property seized meant that Press had breached the act and that they had been in his possession.

A project officer with the Department of Nature, Resources and Environment in evidence said Press’ application for a permit to possess a carpet python and display reptiles and amphibians in 2017 had been knocked back.

The project officer told the court that Press had not submitted any other permit to possess or display any wildlife after that.

The matter will return to court in April, where Magistrate McKee will hand down his findings and decision as to whether the video evidence was admissible.