4/07/2008

Best. Headline. Ever.

NZ man 'used hedgehog as weapon'

A man in New Zealand has been charged with using a hedgehog as a weapon, the New Zealand Herald has reported.

Police said William Singalargh, 27, had hurled the hedgehog about 5m (16ft) at a 15-year-old boy.

"It hit the victim in the leg, causing a large, red welt and several puncture marks," said Senior Sgt Bruce Jenkins, in the North Island town of Whakatane.

It was unclear whether the hedgehog was still alive when it was thrown, though it was dead when collected as evidence.

The police spokesman said the suspect was arrested "for assault with a weapon, namely the hedgehog."

Mr Singalargh is due to appear in court on 17 April. If convicted, he faces up to five years in prison.


Now, it doesn't say how big the hedgehog was, but I will contend that throwing a hedgehog 16 feet, with accuracy, regardless of size, is impressive.

Five years in prison. For hurling a hedgehog at someone. "Assault with a weapon, namely the hedgehog." You'll excuse me while I proceed to laugh hysterically for a good 10 or 15 minutes.

Also, poor hedgehog. What must have been going through its mind, provided it was alive at the time, as it flew through the air?