assault with a deadly hedgehog... - 13th Apr 2008 5:11pm
A man in New Zealand has been accused of a prickly attack on a teenager - using a hedgehog as a weapon.
A hedgehog was used as a weaponWilliam Singalargh, 27, is said to have launched the spiky creature at a 15-year-old boy in the North Island east coast town of Whakatane.
The animal was later discovered dead but it was unclear whether it was alive when it was thrown.
The youth suffered several puncture wounds and a large gash to his leg but did not need hospital treatment.
Police arrested Singalargh shortly afterwards and was charged with assault using a weapon "namely the hedgehog".
He could face up to five years in prison if convicted.
Singalargh's lawyer said he intended to plead not guilty, The Herald On Sunday newspaper reported.
Senior Sergeant Bruce Jenkins said: "People often get charged with assault for throwing things at other people." However, he admitted the use of a hedgehog as a weapon was "uncommon".
It remains unclear if he will also face animal cruelty charges.
The Herald reported Singalargh's arrest under the headline "Raise your hands and step away from the hedgehog".
A hedgehog was used as a weaponWilliam Singalargh, 27, is said to have launched the spiky creature at a 15-year-old boy in the North Island east coast town of Whakatane.
The animal was later discovered dead but it was unclear whether it was alive when it was thrown.
The youth suffered several puncture wounds and a large gash to his leg but did not need hospital treatment.
Police arrested Singalargh shortly afterwards and was charged with assault using a weapon "namely the hedgehog".
He could face up to five years in prison if convicted.
Singalargh's lawyer said he intended to plead not guilty, The Herald On Sunday newspaper reported.
Senior Sergeant Bruce Jenkins said: "People often get charged with assault for throwing things at other people." However, he admitted the use of a hedgehog as a weapon was "uncommon".
It remains unclear if he will also face animal cruelty charges.
The Herald reported Singalargh's arrest under the headline "Raise your hands and step away from the hedgehog".
