Clubbing of seals denied

The second man charged over the death of seals near Kaikoura denied a charge of wilfully mistreating seals by clubbing them to death, when he appeared in the Blenheim District Court this morning.

Jamaal Peter Roy Large, 36, a driver, of Wairau Valley, entered no plea to a second charge of possession of an offensive weapon (a metal pole) in a public place. He was bailed to reappear on September 21.

Co-accused Jason Trevor Godsiff, 19, of Renwick, admitted the same charges in Blenheim District Court on July 18.

The fur seals – some only a few days old – were beaten to death last year at Ohau Point, near Kaikoura, last November. Live seals in the area had injuries that suggested they had also been hit. The Department of Conservation called the attack "callous and cowardly".

Last updated 14:48 22/08/2011