NSW:Drugs fuelled mental problem for alleged animal abuser:court

AAP General News (Australia)
08-19-2005
NSW:Drugs fuelled mental problem for alleged animal abuser:court

By Paul Carter, Police Reporter

SYDNEY, Aug 19 AAP - A finance company director charged with animal cruelty and bestiality
had serious mental health problems caused by illegal drug use, his lawyer told a Sydney
court.

New Zealander Brendan Francis McMahon, 36, was refused bail today when he faced Central
Local Court on 18 charges of aggravated animal cruelty involving 17 rabbits and a guinea
pig, one count of bestiality and two of possessing cannabis.

McMahon, from the Sydney beachside suburb of Tamarama, will also be charged with six
new bestiality offences relating to rabbits before his next court appearance, the court
was told today.

Police allege all offences were committed between July 20 and August 11 this year.

McMahon was arrested after the bodies of between 40 and 50 rabbits were discovered
in a lane beside his city office, the court was told.

Magistrate Allan Moore said he was unwilling to release McMahon before authorities
could complete a full psychiatric report.

McMahon's lawyer Douglas Marr told the court his client needed to be released to see
a psychiatrist privately.

He said McMahon had been suffering serious mental health problems brought on by the
use of the illegal amphetamine ice.

"He had a serious drug problem with ice over that period of time and was not sleeping
while he was using that drug," Mr Marr told the court.

"He was suffering a serious mental health problem involved with the drug use and it
appears he is in need of psychiatric help."

Mr Marr also said McMahon had benefited from being off drugs while in custody and that
he intended never to use them again.

In the meantime all his business dealings were "falling in a heap", he said.

Mr Marr said his client could offer $5,000 surety and would promise not to go within
50 metres of a pet shop if granted bail.

However, Mr Moore denied bail until authorities could complete their own psychiatric report.

McMahon was remanded in custody to reappear in the same court on September 30.

Police and the RSPCA earlier launched an investigation after the bodies of three mutilated
rabbits and a pet store box were found on July 20 in toilets at McMahon's business address
in the city, the police statement of facts said.

A description of McMahon provided by the pet shop was circulated to other retailers
and he was eventually traced using credit card details.

More dead or badly injured rabbits were found when McMahon was arrested early on August
12 following a surveillance operation.

AAP pc/was/sp/lb/sd ,

KEYWORD: MCMAHON NIGHTLEAD

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