Man to Plead Guilty in Wombat Killings
A young man accused of deliberately killing wombats in Victoria, Australia, has indicated he will plead guilty to charges following a plea deal.
Apprentice electrician Tyson Michael Delbridge, 20, is set to plead guilty to charges related to the alleged massacre of wombats in Venus Bay, Victoria. Delbridge appeared in Latrobe Valley Magistrates' Court on Monday, where his intention to plead guilty to two charges was communicated to the court. His brother, Angus Cameron Delbridge, and a friend, Jake Bland, who also face charges in connection with the incident, have indicated they will also plead guilty.
Investigators have described the alleged actions as a "senseless and deliberate act of animal cruelty." Delbridge is accused of running down the animals along Lees Road on February 18. The discovery of the wombat carcasses by local residents led to an investigation.
Among the deceased wombats was a female carrying a joey, which survived the incident and was taken to a wildlife shelter. The incident occurred in an area where locals have posted numerous signs warning drivers to be mindful of wildlife. It is believed that up to three vehicles may have been present at the time of the killings.
Delbridge and his brother are the sons of Cameron Delbridge, a local cattle trader and dairy farmer. Delbridge's lawyer informed the court that his client is prepared to enter a guilty plea at his next appearance in March. The potential penalties for hunting protected wildlife include a maximum fine of $10,455 and six months imprisonment, while animal cruelty offenses carry a maximum penalty of $52,275 and 12 months imprisonment.
The Conservation Regulator has stated that wildlife cruelty is unacceptable and pledged to investigate and prosecute serious incidents. South Gippsland Deputy Mayor Sarah Gilligan expressed relief at the impending charges, calling the incident a "deliberate attack on community values."
It is understood that some of the charges may relate to similar alleged attacks on wombats in Walkerville, occurring in late 2024. Locals had previously suspected that wombats were deliberately killed in the area around Christmas of the previous year.