An amateur crocodile wrangler who was caught illegally capturing wild animals and posting his exploits on TikTok has been sentenced in Townsville.
Jayden Wilson filmed himself capturing freshwater crocodiles in the Ross River in Townsville and posted several videos to social media.
The 27-year-old appeared in the Townsville Magistrates Court on Tuesday on 12 counts of taking a protected animal between November 2020 to November 2021.
The father of two, who was not authorised to take protected animals, pleaded guilty to the 12 charges.
The TikTok videos posted by Wilson were played to the court, which heard he caught and attempted to catch crocodiles with a lasso and a net.
Katy Kutra, a lawyer representing the Department of Environment and Science, asked Magistrate Ross Mack to impose a fine of $20,000, record a conviction and seek legal costs.
Ms Kurta told the court that one of the videos reached more than 100,000 viewers.
"His offending was both intentional and persistent and he encouraged others to take part," she said.
"There is a real possibility that the defendant has encouraged this behaviour in the community."
She also said Wilson did not appear remorseful and would not give names of the people he caught and attempted to catch crocodiles with.
'Immature' behaviour
Throughout the court hearing Magistrate Mack called the behaviour "immature" and referred to Wilson as a "clown" and a "goose".
Magistrate Mack said he was not concerned that Wilson had encouraged this behaviour in the community.
"Only an idiot would do what he did," he said.
Solicitor Mathai Joshi represented Wilson.
"It is extremely silly behaviour, and my client accepts that," Mr Joshi said.
"He was trying to learn about the [animals] and his instructions to me are that he was passionate about them."
Mr Joshi told the court that Wilson wasn't aware that the act of jumping in the creek and collecting an animal would be an offence, but Magistrate Mack rejected that.
"Everyone north of Byron Bay knows that you can't take crocodiles," Magistrate Mack said.
Mr Joshi asked the court to consider a fine between $3,000 and $5,000.
Deterrence a factor in sentencing
Magistrate Mack said the court was being called upon to sentence someone who had been completely foolish.
"It's a plea of guilty, it's an early plea and that speaks to the cooperation with justice," he said.
"As far as your personal circumstances you're a man who supports a family, you have a criminal history but you're to be sentenced on your actions on the day."
Magistrate Mack said the real issues for consideration in sentencing were "deterrence and denunciation".
"Most people wouldn't be contemplating doing something like you were doing but there may be a cohort in Townsville who may be tempted," he said.
Magistrate Mack also considered the potential harm caused to the crocodiles.
"They are protected, just leave them alone," he said.
Wilson was fined $12,000 with convictions for the 12 offences recorded.
He was also ordered to pay $1,500 in legal costs.
The maximum penalty for taking a protected animal is a fine of $163,000.
The Department of Environment and Science welcomed the penalty.
"Catching or attempting to catch freshwater crocodiles is foolish and risky behaviour. It is also illegal," a spokesperson said.
"Townsville is croc country. People in croc country need to be crocwise or they risk fines, court action and serious injury."
