PSNI says it will have mystery Craigavon corn snake killed because nobody has claimed it since it was found in a driveway

The police are well used to hunting for slippery characters – but the case against a runaway defendant of a different nature was mentioned in court today. Describing it was a “somewhat unusual application,” a lawyer for the PSNI told Craigavon Magistrates Court she was seeking a disposal order for a runaway corn snake. Ms Severina Kelly said the snake has been in police custody since it was scooped on August 24 when it was discovered “sitting on a driveway with no explanation where it has come from,” adding that despite police appeals, no owner has come forward. She told Deputy District Judge Laura Ievers that with no one coming forward to offer a home for the snake one option, sadly, would be “humane euthanasia”. Ms Kelly said that by coincidence, another reptile owner had reported their snake as missing so there are “efforts being made” to substitute one with the other. Taking its name from corn fields which attract mice and then these mouse predators, corn snakes are said to make an excellent pet. It is generally docile, relatively easy to care for, and does not get very large. With DJ Ievers granting the application, Ms Kelly urged anyone who would be able to offer the snake a home to contact “the wildlife department at PSNI HQ”. The PSNI can be contacted in 101. More from this reporter: Click here: DUP minister launches scheme for ‘pupils who menstruate’ – avoiding any mention of females Click here: Top Orangeman: Michael D Higgins is an irrelevant foreign head-of-state Click here: Investigation of dissident republican-linked charity still unfinished three years on A message from the Editor: Thank you for reading this story on our website. While I have your attention, I also have an important request to make of you. With the coronavirus lockdown having a major impact on many of our advertisers - and consequently the revenue we receive - we are more reliant than ever on you taking out a digital subscription. Subscribe to newsletter.co.uk and enjoy unlimited access to the best Northern Ireland and UK news and information online and on our app. With a digital subscription, you can read more than 5 articles, see fewer ads, enjoy faster load times, and get access to exclusive newsletters and content. Visit https://www.newsletter.co.uk/subscriptionsnow to sign up. Our journalism costs money and we rely on advertising, print and digital revenues to help to support them. By supporting us, we are able to support you in providing trusted, fact-checked content for this website. Ben Lowry Acting Editor