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Kangaroo Shooting Case in New South Wales

A man has been charged with the shooting and killing of 98 kangaroos on a military base in New South Wales, and he has denied the allegations against him.

Joey Pace, 43, from Williamtown, made a brief court appearance at Raymond Terrace local court on Monday following his arrest by New South Wales police in the Hunter Valley region.

During the court proceedings, Pace’s lawyer, Glenn Kable, confirmed that his client would plead not guilty to all charges filed against him.

Magistrate Gregory Moore has adjourned the case and set a hearing date for August 26. He also ordered law enforcement to supply Pace with the evidence against him by May 1.

In December, police conducted a raid on Pace’s property in Williamtown, where three firearms were reportedly seized. This action was taken after the carcasses of the kangaroos were discovered on the Singleton army base in October.

Additionally, police allegedly confiscated firearms from another property owned by Pace in the Hunter Valley. A notice to suspend his firearm privileges has already been issued.

Pace faces multiple charges, totaling six, which include aggravated animal cruelty that occurred between October 1 and 8 at Broke, as well as discharging a firearm on military property, trespassing on Commonwealth land, and harming or attempting to harm protected species, specifically the kangaroos.

He is also accused of not securely storing a Stirling 20 rifle at his Williamtown residence on December 20, 2024, along with failing to provide approved storage for ammunition as a holder of a category A or B licence.

The police investigation was prompted when dead kangaroos, an ammunition box, and two cartridges were found on the Singleton army base on October 8.

Pace did not make any comments to the media following his court appearance.

Source
www.theguardian.com