A Balgowlah man who ran down kangaroos has avoided prison time with a 200 hours of community service sentence and an order to pay $1500 worth of fines.
Leo Boland pleaded guilty to recklessly beat and seriously injure animal after swerving to kill two kangaroos with his mother’s Holden ute at Running Stream in July 2024. He was also charged with not disclosing the identity of the passenger.
The 21 year old man faced Manly Local Court yesterday for sentencing, 2 October 2025.
The event was recorded on Snapchat by a passenger of the vehicle before the footage came into the possession of the authorities. It was heard in court he had drunk alcohol during the time of the incident while on a camping trip with friends.
It was negotiated and agreed between the prosecution and defence that the video will not be shown in court, and the details of the footage be redacted in court papers as part of a plea deal. Manly Local Court magistrate Daniel Reiss questioned this decision in court today, arguing the video would display an accurate depiction of the events which transpired.
Possible contradictions between the charges and the fact sheet were also discussed. The act of running down the kangaroos was described in court papers as ‘deliberate’, deeming the awarded charges of ‘reckless’ as being less severe, Mr Reiss said. He also stated driving a vehicle at speed into an animal is “more than intentional.” However, these comments, as well as the ones regarding the video were stood down.
The court heard from Boland’s defence that the incident was a “moment of foolishness” and he and his mother had already suffered from a “tidal wave” of “vile abuse” on Facebook.
It was also heard for the first time that alcohol was involved in the incident, with Boland’s lawyer stating regrettable decisions are made when you put a young person in the country with a motor vehicle and alcohol.
Mr Reiss stated this increased the severity of the crime, agreeing young people, alcohol and stupidity do not mix. He also dismissed the defence’s previous comments about the repercussions of online abuse, sharing the possibility of the incident being published should’ve been a known possibility to Boland as the front seat passenger was filming the event.
He also noted the actions were a “red flag” in regards to his mental state.
Court documents state Boland deliberatly drove into the kangaroos at speed as they attempted to escape, before stopping the car near one of the dead bodies of the kangaroos.
Boland was originally given an additional charge of intending severe pain – torture and seriously injure animal. This was withdrawn following negotiations.
He was sentenced to 200 hours community service, put on a 18 month good behaviour bond and ordered to pay a $1000 fine as well as another $500 fine for not disclosing the identity of the driver.
