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Wellington, April 23 NZPA - Three 17-year-olds have denied being responsible for the savage killing of a sheep on Mount Maunganui at the weekend.
Mitchell Anthony Herbert, electrician, Matthew Ronald Ludolph, builder, and Blake John Kerridge, occupation unknown, all of Auckland, appeared in Tauranga District Court on animal cruelty and disorderly behaviour charges.
Police alleged that on Sunday night the three kicked the sheep and beat it with a stick, then threw fireworks at it.
They lit other fireworks in its mouth, which apparently blew off its jaw, and tried to set it on fire, police said.
The teenagers were arrested two days later in Mt Maunganui, when a patrol stopped their vehicle and found items allegedly related to the case.
Tauranga SPCA described the attack as one of the worst cases of animal cruelty it had seen.
A lawyer acting for the accused today requested a post-mortem on the sheep as the three teenagers claimed the animal was already dead when they found it.
The court was told police intended to lay a fresh charge of illegal possession of explosives in relation to the fireworks.
NZPA WGT ljm dj nb
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Comments
Wouldn't it be embarassing
Wouldn't it be embarassing for the SPCA if one of them is related to Bob Kerridge?
Fancy the police disposing of the carcass before a necropsy to establish whether this animal's injuries were pre or post-mortem. Clowns.
I think the media are
I think the media are disgusting and irresponsible. What ever happened to being found guilty. The boys say the sheep was dead, yet police conveniently disposed of the one thing that makes all the difference to this case one has to wonder why??? As for blowing the sheeps jaw off - did they have a grenade or something as no fireworks I know of could do this. Again media hype. When are the media going to be accountable for their actions? These are three young kids who were probably just mucking around with a dead sheep with curiosity. To a city slicker this sounds gross to a farm kid well its dead for gods sake. Dumb thing to do yes, does it deserve dragging their name or their parents name through the media muck pit definitely no.
Dunno about inferring that
Dunno about inferring that it's normal for kids to mutilate even a dead sheep. That sort of behaviour still rings alarm bells for me.
Don't know about the fireworks thing either. The SPCA would be able to say how many animals they deal with who have had bits blown off their anatomy around Guy Fawkes.
Main thing for me is the ongoing incompetence of the cops. The David Bain case is a prime example. I cannot believe the amount of evidence they have destroyed, lost or even failed to secure in the first place in that case. It's stuff that should be common sense yet it's lost on the people we trust to get evidence needed to keep the innocent out of jail and criminals behind bars. Whose side are they on?
Back to these teenagers though, there were witnesses to the beating they gave this beast. I doubt anyone would beat and kick a dead animal.
Thanks to the police we'll just have to wonder.
Not inferring it is "normal"
Not inferring it is "normal" to do whatever they did to a dead sheep it is totally Stupid but a big difference between that and beating/killing it to death. I can see however that 3 young boys finding a dead sheep could be curious and stupid in that situation. I would say that it would take a pretty powerful cracker to blow off a sheeps jaw dead or alive it is quite a strong bone. It is very easy to judge without all the facts all I am saying is as usual they media have given a lot of information as fact (covering themselves by saying allegedly) when nothing is proven but then it doesn't sound as dramatic or sell papers. I agree the police once again seem to have bumbled something so vital as allowing the body to be disposed of as it makes a huge difference to the boys reputation and futures all because of lazy police with slip shod practices. Do they never learn from mistakes? If they plan to make a case from something then surely it is vital to distinguish weather the sheep was alive or dead a VERY big difference.
Absolutely agreed. These
Absolutely agreed. These boys will always be under suspicion as a result of our police practice of getting it wrong wherever possible.
Don't get me started on the media.
Suffice to say that only the media can surpass the police in incompetence, irresponsibility and plain stupidity in the way they do their job.
Just amazing. And devastating for those they do it to.
Uh nope. Hang-em. Stop
Uh nope. Hang-em. Stop blaming the cops you no-hopers.
obviously a cop or family
obviously a cop or family of. Not all cops are lazy but they are not what they used to be. How dumb not to keep/examine the evidence no one can defend that.
Ha Ha Ha. This poster has
Ha Ha Ha. This poster has to be a COP! I bet you'd like to be able to circumvent the court process and arbitrarily decide who's guilty and who is not.
Police motto: Strangers are just criminals we haven't busted yet.
Why would they have made an
Why would they have made an arrest if they didnt think they had a case? the little punks have admitted to it. Case closed lol
No, the 'little punks' have
No, the 'little punks' have said the animal was already dead.
However, witnesses stated they saw the animal being attacked(according to the media - which is almost the same as hearsay).
Therefore, off to court for a FAIR hearing, where the evidence (what there is left of it) can be presented and the defendants tried according to our 'innocent until proven guilty' system.
So put your pop gun away and wait for the court's findings.
lol you seem to be quite
lol you seem to be quite supportive of those who perpetrate animal cruelty. So you're ok with them doing it to a dead animal huh? well each to their own. I hope someone stuffs their mouths with fireworks and sets fire to their hair personally. Now hurry up with their photos already, the boys are gettin fidgety. They must be in the phone book. Might have to follow them from the courthouse. Lets face it the courts are never hard enough on animal cruelty cases. Make the punishment fit the crime. They said they did it, theres a witness, they are scum born from other scum. I'm entitled to an opinion. enjoy it with salt if you like :-)
well wouldn't you be the
well wouldn't you be the total idiot. Condemn animal (dead no less) cruelty but condone bashing humans. Yeah obvious who the scum is.... Also you obviously can't read very well either - they admitted to poking stick at a dead animal not bashing a defenceless animal to death so pay to get your facts straight first.
lol you must be one of their
lol you must be one of their mothers.
Nope, just someone who
Nope, just someone who believes that the law gets it wrong more often than they should unfortunately(see David Bain case as one example) and believes that people who judge using media as their "fact" book need to wake up. And people that threaten others because they believe what they read in the papers who skirt the truth to sell a paper are even lower down the list of ding bats.
You sound too onto it to be
You sound too onto it to be one of their mothers. But hey, you can't pick your family.
You're right, the media are the pits. Anything to sell copy and boost ratings. They're a breed.
I reckon. And if you are
I reckon. And if you are one of their mothers Jane you are doing your son no favours finding him innocent by default, or worse, giving him tutelage on how to avoid paying the full penalty of the law for such an inhuman and frighteningly cruel act.
Remember, most serial killers kicked off by torturing and murdering defenseless animals.
For petes sake haven't you
For petes sake haven't you even read the papers. I have not been anonymous because I feel that too often people are tried by media and am not ashamed to say it. The names of the boys were not my surname in case you missed that. If I was their mother and I am not. I would want people to be intelligent enough to realize that innocent until proven guilty and media twist truth to sell papers. I don't condone any type of cruelty but the boys have said the animal was already dead and I am saying that it is a real shame that the police got rid of that evidence. As I have said big difference to poking some dead sheep (you eat meat don't you and someone has to kill it) and the unthinkable act of actually killing it violently. Anyhow enough of this chit chat I have said what I wanted to and de-linking now.
Actually I agree, we have to
Actually I agree, we have to reach these people in a language they understand, in this case it seems they have chosen extreme violence as their language of choice. Its important to communicate effectively with people. Interesting you defend these monsters.
Not at all. I think they're
Not at all. I think they're guilty as sin myself. But I've been wrong before today so I'll keep my powder dry until I know what I'm talking about.
Quite agree with you wholeheartedly about the wet-bus-ticket sentences handed down for animal cruelty.
Take for example the Northland judge letting offenders off for dog fighting because according to him such dogs are "born for it".
And he's sitting on the bench? Scary.
Can you dig up a link for
Can you dig up a link for that? I couldnt find anything on it. Cheers
I can't sorry. Bet the SPCA
I can't sorry. Bet the SPCA can though. If you find that case...to the best of my sad middle-aged recollection it was around 4 years ago...can you post it here?
I am sorry to say this Jane,
I am sorry to say this Jane, but I have known Michell (one of the kids accused) for years through Long Bay Collage, where he was a student and through other kids hanging out with him (hopefully they will stop that now). In the past few years he has been up to lots of no good, also much worse things then most boys his age gets up to. If anyone could be guity of such a horrid crime, he could! I would be extremely surprised if he did not do it. But with rich parents, he will probably get away with this as well! To me he is guilty until proven 100% innocent!!!
I am also sorry Jane. While
I am also sorry Jane. While I respect your stance, and I will not be judging anything to do with the case until after the court trial I have had contact with Blake Kerridge. Again, very rich parents and if I know anyone who would do this - it would be him. But If i also know anyone who could get off the hook with this, its him. We will see what happens!
It seems to me that both you
It seems to me that both you and the other person sound a little jealous of the "rich". Family money has nothing to do with it and does that mean that only the rich have children with problems, I think not this has nothing to do with the parents wealth. The law is the law and contrary to what you both seem to be saying (that being rich will get them off) this is not what happens in New Zealand. I am just amazed at how many people seem to think "their kids shit don't stink". While you may think your kids are the best it would be interesting to see how others described them and should they get caught making a mistake how many would come forward saying yes they knew them and they were difficult...???
Jane, Bilbo again! I needn't
Jane, Bilbo again! I needn't rephrase what I have said about your assertion that i'm jealous of the rich. I am part of that class. I also love your hypocrisy, you judge me by my post and assert I should not judge Blake when I knew him for 5 years. I am actually the same age as Blake and still at school, so yeah, i'm pretty sure I don't think "my shit stinks" because i'm not a malicious bully, don't kill sheep or threaten people.
I'm sure you will go down fighting on this one, but finally you naivety is shining through, of course money will go a way to them getting off the hook. Money = Good lawyers and good lawyers = a higher probability of winning concessions in court.
Remove the rose tints.
From the sound of these last
From the sound of these last two posts, these kids are needing more than close scrutiny. How can they get to this age, be known for their abominable acts and apparently still allowed to run loose inflicting themselves on defenseless animals? And maybe even other people's kids?
Hopefully the media will be as relentless in pursuing these answers as we would expect them to be - despite their parent's affluence and social status.
In response to your post
In response to your post above, I suspect these women are going on their kids heresay - typical 17 year olds trying to get in on the act by over dramatizing everything and claiming to know the facts about the "bad boys". I have looked into this and I have no doubt whatsoever that these boys have been judged by the media and made out to be total monsters because of who their parents are and this is being fueled along by attention seeking teenagers and their mothers. The facts will out but the sheep was already dead and that fact will clear their names not wealthy parents.
Witnesses state that they
Witnesses state that they saw the animal being beaten and kicked. Why would anyone beat and kick a dead animal?
The truth will out.
Jane - you must have been
Jane - you must have been born yesterday if you really believe that money doesn't talk in such situations.
It's not about 'jealousy' of the rich, but the reality that wealthy parents can afford the best briefs and the SPCA's pockets are only so deep. Police also have to prioritise to make the most efficient of their budgets.
It's good to see that several experienced barristers have stepped up to the plate to donate their expertise. Hopefully this altruistic act on behalf of the beasties will see the balance redressed.
No not born yesterday but I
No not born yesterday but I am not a vindictive jealous person who believes all they read in the media and gossip spread by kids, I like to get all the facts. Contrary to what you seem to believe it is not up to the SPCA to press charges or pay for lawyers it is up to the police who conveniently threw the "evidence" down the offal pit!!! So now you are also saying their lawyers are not up to it either??? Personally having now looked into all this I HAVE NO DOUBT WHATSOEVER THAT THE SHEEP WAS ALREADY DEAD but then people like yourself will always believe the worst of people so only hope the court is fair. I think you watch too much TV if you think judge/jury here can be brought - only in America.
There now Jane, deep breath.
There now Jane, deep breath. The police stuffed up in throwing out the evidence. Scary. The SPCA are selective, as are the police in the use of their 'budget' to prosecute such cases. Equally scary.
But to become accusative toward those of us stating the obvious?
Um...really scary.
So Jane what evidence do you
So Jane what evidence do you have that the sheep was already dead? Their lawyers statement? For these types of minds, doing this to a dead sheep would take the "fun" out of it.
I smell a rat and its coming from your quarters...
Smell all the rats you like,
Smell all the rats you like, I only believe in people getting a fair hearing and from what I see people like yourself have judged before knowing the facts all too common in this country. As for "those types" of minds how would you know - just gossip.
Oh dear, I guess I need to
Oh dear, I guess I need to say something again....I was the first one writing on the 07/05/09, knowing Michell through kids and school. Yes, I mentioned 'rich parents'. Me and my partner are amongst the top 5% income earners in this country, so as you may understand, I am not writing this because I am jealous of richness. I am worried, worried of ANY parents kids out there! We have 3 kids, 2 boys and one girl. One boy is 16 the other is 17 and our girl is 21. We have had our fair share of teenage problems, but never in the category of what I KNOW Michell has been up to. Trust you me, I know! Even if you are a parent Jane, of one of the accused boys, it sounds as if you are blissfully unaware of what those boys have been up to in the past (oh, and maybe now) - But is that not often the case with teenage boys (and girls)? The worst one of mine has done (to my knowledge) was to take a new bike from someone at school. We found out and the bike was given back, with a small scratch on it. Still, we made our child work till the full amount of the bike was earned, to pay this to the bike owner (incl. the original bike), just so our child would learn that it hurts to hurt others. I would let my child suffer for much longer, had she or he hurt an animal! Jane, you say that you know that the sheep was dead, when they started beating it with a stick and blowing it up? I wonder how you can be that sure? - even if it was dead, it is a sign of something which should be stopped right now. Still, knowing one of the boys I also know he could have done it and something has to be done to stop him before he gets more creative with live or dead....do you really disagree with that Jane?
I don't disagree that IF
I don't disagree that IF that were the case then of course something needed to be done. You are not going on fact though only on heresay. You have no way of knowing what happened, there is a big difference between stupid teenage boys pranks and beating an animal to death so how you can assume that any of the boys are capable of that kind of violence when they don't have a history of violence is beyond me its a heck of a big presumption. Although I am not one of the mothers I KNOW a little more than you about these boys, you are just a school mum going on gossip. As for your child stealing a bike well that also is stupid and you dealt with it full credit to you - imagine what the press could have done with that. But as you say 'To your knowledge" I wouldn't be surprised if there were a lot of other stupid things that if blown out of proportion could also point to you being a bad so called "rich" parent but then I doubt you will be told of those for a few years yet. All I feel is that these boys should not be tried by media and people who do not have all the facts should not be spreading idle gossip as fact.
Jane, you sound a nice Lady,
Jane, you sound a nice Lady, but somewhat tense, I wonder why (if you are not the mother)? Who cares if you are or not in this discussion? Btw. I am not a mum.. in fact, my gender is the rather opposite - so call me Joe! I have had problems up to my neck with the press (work) and I do not always agree with what is printed, however - you still do not get it! The boys (which you think you know better then I) still did something that can not be excused! Yes, they still need to be heard and the outcome will be, whatever? - but I (no matter what the press will say), have my own knowledge and I think you are a wishfull thinker on account of the boys! They need to learn and fast before its too late and too serious. What they did is not just a case of teenage fun, it is 'playing with fire'! Are you able to take the match away? If not, do not cover for them! Teach them what is right and wrong...that is where your energy needs to go - no where else! I am not in the gossip game here, I am telling what I have at heart!
Joe (hmmm...sorry, cant tell you my name)
sorry, I just picked a
sorry, I just picked a random name (joe) and saw that another writer was called reasonable joe - dont get confused, we are not the same one! Lets just call me 0705!
Hi again! I feel the need to
Hi again! I feel the need to again say something. I was the second one to comment on knowing one of the boys. Blake. I am not at all jealous of the wealth of Blake's family considering my family is just as, if not more affluent. (I'm sorry to say this and would not have without provocation) Lets call me Bilbo for fun. I knew Blake very well through school, incidentely the school he was expelled from. He mercilessly bullied many of those around him and made someone I know so depressed he refused to catch the school bus with Blake in the mornings.
To suggest jealousy of Blake is insulting. Blake was a bully. The worst kind of bully, a cowardly verbal bully. I don't know this through gossip, but personal experience. Jane, remove your rose tinted glasses. The name of Blake Kerridge is dirt at school, a malicious bully who was luckily expelled for his capricious behavior.
Jane will be a family associate trying to stop the trial by media and gossip, as all the families are. But this is a lost cause, I suggest you focus your efforts on winning in the courtroom rather than on a voxy blog.
Seems there is no smoke
Seems there is no smoke without fire.
Best left for court of course, but if Kerridge is such a bullying little whacko that he has had to be expelled for serious behavioural probs that would require such extreme measures from his school, then he and his mates may have been caught bang to rights - rich or poor.
This is one case that will be getting some serious media exposure.
OH and to an original
OH and to an original commenter, Bob Kerridge is indeed Blakes grandfather.
0705 here. I think we should
0705 here. I think we should leave Bob Kerridge well clear of what his grandson has done. To me Bob has done a life time of good (much more then most) and having a grandson like Blake must be painful!
painfull is an
painfull is an understatement even if its true they are related as such. What a betrayal.
Was any of this on TV? I find the telly doesnt cover animal abuse much.
I'm finding this insight into these boys intriguing. Again assuming its all true, we're looking at some phscyopathic tendencies here :(
Kerridge just got cornered
Kerridge just got cornered on facebook and threatened to kill several people, as well as contradicting his story.
How do you know that
How do you know that exactly?
Bob Kerridge isn't the hero
Bob Kerridge isn't the hero everyone believes him to be - something that will come out in the wash in time too.
So the little whacko lost it on facebook? Have you got a url to the discussion?
I am not sure if Bob
I am not sure if Bob Kerridge is the grandfather or not as I don't know that particular boy well. But if he is the grandfather then to slander his name in this way is most unreasonable. Regardless of what you say this man has been an amazing member of society and done so much for so many (more than you I suspect) so for this to have happened to his family is a real sadness regardless of its outcome. Although I know the boys did not kill the sheep the fact that they poked around with a dead sheep when he is such a prominent member of society is doubly sad and embarrassing for the family who have done nothing wrong. Give the family a break and again I say rather than make your ill informed judgments here maybe wait until all the information comes out in a fair and reasonable way. No one is perfect but again there is a difference between torturing a living animal to death and showing curiosity and stupidity poking around with an already dead one.
There are some very ugly
There are some very ugly suggestions about what else these so-called boys (who are 17) did to this animal. If they are true then that sheep should be removed from the offal pit it has been dumped in and properly examined.
The question as to whether Blake Kerridge is related to Bob Kerridge should also be cleared up. It is amazing to me that this has not been clarified. Such is the price of fame which can quickly turn to infamy.
Further, why didn't the police sieze that poor animal's body as an exhibit under the circumstances? This is the worst kind of incompetence, or is it because these little rats have such high-profile connections?
Until these questions are answered we can have no faith in our police, the justice system, and even the media.
The fact that the park ranger reported that there was a trail of blood leading to the hapless animal's remains makes it abundantly clear that the animal was in fact alive when attacked. Dead animals don't bleed.
Very well said (to just
Very well said (to just above) - I fully agree!!!! And Jane, were you there with the boys that day, since you are so sure the animal was already dead? If not, then dont try to cover for them!
And well said above too. If
And well said above too. If Jane is one of their parents or relatives she may well want to think about the wisdom of the "my boy John can't do no wrong" delusional tactic of defending ratbag kids. That is how they become ratbags. Rich or poor. Connected or not.
Pretty sad world that you
Pretty sad world that you think only the parents of these boys could care that they get a fair hearing, as I have said I am not one of the parents but you believe what you want. I do have children though and realize that they do stupid dumb things sometimes without thinking - that does not include killing sheep - to me if they had killed the sheep then they should pay the price and any reasonable parent would realize the seriousness of something like that. But as you have no facts to say they are psycopaths or talk as if they are guilty is just as stupid as they were checking out a dead sheep.