A 19‑year‑old man from Victoria's South Gippsland region was convicted of drink‑driving and other traffic offences on Wednesday and remains under investigation over separate allegations that a vehicle he drove was used to kill several wombats.
Tyson Michael Delbridge of Fish Creek pleaded guilty at Korumburra Magistrates' Court to careless driving, driving with alcohol present and driving an unregistered vehicle. Magistrates convicted and fined him A$1,000 and disqualified him from driving for six months. He is yet to face court on animal cruelty charges that investigators say relate to a series of wombat deaths in the Venus Bay area.
Court documents and police accounts outline a single‑vehicle crash on May 28 in which Delbridge's ute rolled in bushland, burst into flames and was left a total write‑off. Delbridge was ejected from the vehicle and later recorded a blood alcohol reading of 0.062 per cent, above the zero limit for probationary drivers. The court heard he was fortunate to escape serious injury after being found by a friend who happened to be nearby.
Asked by a judicial registrar how the crash occurred, Delbridge answered, "Young and dumb, I guess," and told the court he was sorry for his actions. Outside the court he declined to answer questions about the alleged wombat killings and told media, "Go away please. I don't consent for you to take videos of me. Go away."
Delbridge appeared in court unrepresented and was supported in and outside the building by his parents. His father, identified by local media as Cameron Delbridge, intervened with a photographer outside the court and said his son would contest the animal‑welfare allegations when they come before the same court next month.
Police and the state Conservation Regulator opened an extended investigation after residents discovered multiple dead wombats along Lees Road between Venus Bay and Anderson Inlet. Investigators have said wildlife‑surveillance images captured a vehicle they believe was involved. At least one of the wombats was carrying a joey; the young marsupial survived and was taken to a wildlife shelter. Authorities allege up to nine wombats were killed, though the matter remains before the courts and no finding of guilt has been made in relation to those charges.
The Conservation Regulator said wildlife cruelty is taken seriously and urged members of the public to report information about wildlife crime. In a previous public statement, the regulator said it would investigate and pursue prosecution for serious incidents.
The alleged incidents prompted strong local reaction. Several residents and wildlife advocates attended the court on Wednesday; some confronted the Delbridge family outside the building. A neighbour interviewed by local media defended the accused, saying she considered him a helpful and well‑known member of the rural community and expressing disbelief that he had committed the acts alleged. Other locals have said multiple vehicles were in the area at the time of the deaths, and police have not publicly confirmed the number of vehicles under investigation.
State laws provide for significant penalties for cruelty to wildlife, including large fines and potential imprisonment. Delbridge is due to appear again in Korumburra Magistrates' Court next month on the animal welfare charges. Magistrates reiterated that the convictions handed down on Wednesday related only to the traffic and alcohol offences, not the separate allegations about the wombats.