Hearing on croc charges held up

MATTERS against a White Rock man accused of using a wallaby carcass to catch a crocodile are on hold pending a hearing.

Jamie Lee Charlton faces three counts of taking a protected animal.

Cairns Magistrates Court yesterday heard that a disputed facts hearing would need to be listed in order to settle the crocodile-related charges.

Senior Queensland Police Service prosecutor Susan Miles told the court the hearing would include evidence from two police officers and an expert witness.

Magistrate Joe Pinder adjourned the matter to October 17.

The proceedings against Mr Charlton were expected to be settled in June, but the matters against croc killer David Copley put them in a holding pattern in the Magistrates Court.

In a test case before the ACCUSED: Jamie Charlton. Cairns District Court, Judge Dean Morzone was asked to set penalty guidelines after Mr Copley was fined $500 for causing the death of a 3m-long saltie.

He has reserved his decision.

Queensland Police Service have argued the fine should be increased to $7000 as more of a deterrent.

Mr Copley, who pleaded guilty to taking a protected animal, threw a baited line in the water behind his Deeral farm, hooking the crocodile.

He was caught on camera removing the body.