Judge appalled at his favourite chocolate hedgehogs being tainted by drugs

Australian co-ordinating magistrate Peter Couzens took time for a laugh during court proceedings, stating his abhorrence to one of his favourite slices being tainted by drugs.

The remarks came while Mr Couzens was considering a sentence for Ballarat man Michael Tink, 44, who pleaded guilty to possessing cannabis. Tink was apprehended in the Victoria town carrying cannabis-laced slices of chocolate hedgehog in May this year.



While condemning Tink's possession of the drug, Mr Couzens issued a few in-jest remarks. "I'm tempted to punish you further for contaminating a perfectly good hedgehog slice," he said.

"If it was a lamington, that would have almost been a hanging offence." Tink was fined $200.