A Balgowlah apprentice carpenter has admitted he was the driver in a Snapchat video that shows a ute swerving to hit two kangaroos on a rural road near Lithgow.
His plea was entered at Manly Local Court on Thursday, 21 August 2025. Police facts state the incident occurred at Running Stream, about 60km north of Lithgow, at 6:34 p.m. on 19 July 2024.
The video was filmed by a passenger and shared on Snapchat.
What the Court Heard
The court was told Leo Boland, 21, of Balgowlah Heights, pleaded guilty to recklessly beating and seriously injuring an animal, and failing to disclose the identity of a driver or passenger. A more serious torture charge was withdrawn after discussions with police prosecutors, and a new set of agreed facts was tendered. The ute was registered to his mother, who is not accused of wrongdoing.
The police began investigating in September 2024 after seizing the passenger’s phone and locating footage of a Holden Colorado deliberately swerving into kangaroos. On 4 October 2024, Boland declined to identify the driver; on 9 October, the passenger confirmed to police that Boland was behind the wheel. There were claims that one animal was mutilated, allegations that preceded the later plea to the reckless harm charge.
Charges and Possible Penalties
Serious animal cruelty under section 530 of the Crimes Act 1900 (NSW) carries a maximum of five years’ imprisonment when the act is intentional; a related offence introduced as section 530(1A) covers recklessness as to severe pain and carries a lower maximum of three years.
Magistrate Robert Williamson ordered a pre-sentence report and adjourned the matter for sentence to Thursday, 2 October 2025, at Manly Local Court.
For Balgowlah residents, this case is close to home: it involves a Northern Beaches local, behaviour recorded and spread online, and wildlife that many locals value and encounter on regional trips. The outcome will signal how courts treat reckless harm to animals when digital evidence is central to the brief.
Published 21-Aug-2025
