Farmer appeals animal cruelty jail sentence in Mangakino

Warren Koberstein, a 75-year-old farmer from Mangakino, has appealed his prison sentence for animal cruelty. A jury found him guilty of failing to properly feed 834 pregnant sheep, 86 cattle, and 32 heifers. Koberstein's lawyer argued that the two-year and four-month sentence was too harsh. They are seeking an alternative, such as home detention. However, Crown prosecutor Anna McConachy defended the sentence, mentioning Koberstein's past offenses related to animal care. In August, Judge Tony Snell sentenced Koberstein and also prohibited him from owning farm animals or being in charge of them in the future. Koberstein filed his appeal in the Court of Appeal in Wellington. The case was reviewed by Justices Ellis, Rachel Dunningham, and Layne Harvey.