Brisbane Judge, Helen O'Sullivan, has been awarded a Compassionate Judge Award for taking such a firm stance with a burglar who flushed two goldfish down the toilet. During the burglary, Shane Robert Stevenson also ripped a phone from the wall and stole a Playstation console, which he then smashed on the floor.

In her summing up, Judge O'Sullivan said that Stevenson's actions in flushing the fish down the toilet were "sick" and that he was a "very unattractive human being."

In presenting the award to Judge O'Sullivan, PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) said:

"It is our hope that this ruling will send a message to would-be animals abusers that cruelty to any animal - no matter how small or misunderstood - will be taken seriously."

Yeah right.

Brisbane Times