A WAVERLEY grandmother will find out next month whether she has to pay a $22,000 fine for deciding to buy her grandson an unusual pet.
Sharon Leanne Gibbins, 53, appeared to have escaped the hefty fine after magistrate Reg Marron imposed a good behaviour bond instead of a conviction when she pleaded guilty in September to possessing an eastern long-necked turtle.
But in December Mr Marron heard an application to resentence Ms Gibbins, arguing that under the Tasmanian Wildlife Regulations the court had no choice but to impose a fine on a finding or admission of guilt, even if a conviction was not recorded.
Lawyer Fabaino Cangelosi told Mr Marron at the Launceston Magistrates Court yesterday that Tasmania Police had rejected a proposal that would have avoided the fine, on the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Gibbins, who was not in court, will find out on March 12 if the prosecution accepts a second proposal put forward by her lawyers.
All turtles are classed as restricted animals in Tasmania and being found in possession of one carries a fine of up to $22,000.
Gibbins told the court in September that she had the turtle, named Flapper, for several years before surrendering him to wildlife officers in April last year.
Flapper was transported to Victoria by wildlife officers and now lives with Gibbins's friend.