Guilty plea to mouse attack

Former Devonport resident Lindsay Rowles has plead guilty to charges relating to a February 8 attack on a pet mouse.

Rowles, 54, appeared at the North Shore District Court on Friday facing charges of cruelty to an animal and offensive behaviour relating to the incident as well as unrelated drink-driving, drug and disorderly behaviour charges.

Justice Barbara Morris sentenced Rowles to 180 hours' community work, 12 months' supervision and to undergo drug and alcohol counselling. He has also been disqualified from driving for 12 months.

On February 8, a woman was walking along a Devonport road carrying her son's pet mouse, Nibbles, in her blouse.

She walked across the road to to Rowles' home to see his wife when he noticed the mouse.

He pulled the mouse by its tail from the woman's top before lowering it into his mouth.

The mouse wriggled as Rowles closed his mouth, pretending to eat it while the distraught victim and his wife pleaded he take the mouse out.

He flicked the saliva-covered and motionless Nibbles back into the victim's hand.

Defence lawyer Geoff Anderson told the court of a "substantial hearing" Rowles is facing in November, referring to charges over the death of his two children in a 2007 boating tragedy.

Judge Morris said Rowles' actions can only be described as bizzare.

She said it was very cruel that the woman was forced to watch her family pet be killed.

"The trauma would have been significant."

Referring to the boating tragedy, Judge Morris said Rowles has suffered what must have been one of the most traumatic events any person can suffer.

"Your mental health at the time could not have been in a good state."

- © Fairfax NZ News