Shearer sheepish in the dock

A sheepish shearer was hit in the pocket yesterday, when a prank that went wrong landed him in court.

Tuatapere shearer Phillip Ray Horrell, 21, who had been drinking, was convicted of wilful damage in Invercargill District Court after he shut sheep in his neighbour's house.

For about 12 hours, the sheep defecated on carpets and damaged furniture.

Judge Stephen O'Driscoll heard that the victim had to replace the carpet in four rooms.

He ordered Horrell to pay $793 reparation, a $300 fine, and $130 court costs.

Horrell was also ordered to pay $9 reparation and $130 court costs for stealing six pies from a discount store two weeks before.