A man accused of torturing a pig and killing 10 heritage chickens at Nimbin last December has been released on bail after spending eight months behind bars.
Reece Parke walked from Grafton jail yesterday after appearing at Lismore Local Court via videolink.
His solicitor Tracey Randall applied for his bail which was not opposed by the prosecution.
The 23-year-old and his co-accused Bradley Presbury were initially charged with bestaility and two counts of torturing, beating and causing the death of an animal over the alleged incident on December 13 at Djanbung Gardens.
When Djanbung Gardens permaculture college owner Robyn Francis went to feed the animals on the morning of December 14, she was greeted by the gruesome sight of several decapitated chickens.
Police were called and an investigation was launched which resulted in Mr Parke and Mr Presbury being arrested 10 days after the alleged incident.
The charges of bestiality against both men were later dropped.
Both men spent more than eight months in custody before Mr Presbury was granted Supreme Court bail earlier this month.
A Local Court hearing last week heard an alleged phone call between Mr Presbury and a woman would play a crucial role in the prosecution case.
Mr Presbury’s solicitor Tom Ivey and Mr Parke’s solicitor Ms Randall unsuccessfully applied to the court to have the phone call excluded from evidence as it was illegally obtained.
Mr Parke was granted conditional bail to reside at Ballina with his father and must report to Ballina police daily.
He was ordered not to go within 5km of Nimbin and must not contact Mr Presbury or any prosecution witnesses except his father.
The hearing resumes today at Lismore Local Court where it is anticipated a date will be set for its completion.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
