Gary the goat cleared of vandalism

A goat has been cleared by an Australian court of destroying a flowerbed outside a Sydney museum.

Gary's graze with the law ended after a judge ruled neither he nor his owner could be found guilty of vandalism.

Police at the time fined owner Jim Dezarnaul, a comedian known as Jimbo Bazoobi, the equivalent of almost £300.

But man and goat got their day in court when Mr Dezarnaul appealed, with Gary arriving in a colourful hat for his big day.

Magistrate Carolyn Barkell said the accused had been eating the flowers when police arrived, but there was no evidence his intention was vandalism.

Owner Mr Dezarnaul said: "Gary's name has been cleared of all this slander.

"He was simply eating and I want to thank everyone for coming down here.

"Gary the goat taught the cops a valuable lesson today, don't bite off more than you can chew."