Alleged ‘Big Bird Bandits' court move to try to avoid harsh sentences

The three alleged “Big Bird Bandits” who police claim stole the $160,000 costume from the Sesame Street Circus Spectacular have flagged how they will plead to the charges against them, with hopes they’ll keep the matter in a lower court.

Cody Alain Milne, 26, Tasman Binder, 22, and Amelia Margaret Hurt, 20, have each been charged with an aggravated count of dishonestly taking property without consent after the Big Bird costume disappeared from the circus in Bonython Park in Adelaide.

The trio, from Norwood, Murray Bridge and Woodville Park respectively, have been accused of taking the giant yellow costume between 4.30pm on April 18 and 9.30am on April 19 last year.

The charge against them carries a maximum penalty of 15 years imprisonment if found guilty.

Initially, the two young men were arrested and charged over the incident in late April, but an ongoing police investigation led to Ms Hurt’s arrest in July.

Camera IconCody Alain Milne (left), and Tasman Binder (right) are facing charges over the Big Bird costume being stolen last year. NCA NewsWire / Dean Martin Credit: News Corp Australia

Camera IconThey and their co-accused Amelia Hurt allegedly stole the costume from the Sesame Street Circus Spectacular in April 2021. NCA NewsWire /Brenton Edwards Credit: News Corp Australia

The trio on Monday fronted the Adelaide Magistrates Court, where Joseph Henderson, for Mr Binder, flagged a guilty plea for his client, saying there were still discussions to be had with the prosecution.

“There is a broad agreement that the matter will remain in the (Adelaide) Magistrates Court but I don’t think the paperwork has been signed yet,” he said.

Mark Twiggs, for Mr Milne, told magistrate John Wells that his client was in favour of the same agreement.

The prosecutor said she had not yet received confirmation from Ms Hurt’s lawyer about her stance but said if all three defendants agreed to plead guilty, then the agreement would stand.

It means the case would be kept from moving to the District Court, which would usually happen, and the accused would face a lesser penalty.

The hearing was adjourned until next week.

Camera IconThe Big Bird costume is valued at $160,000. The Advertiser/ Morgan Sette Credit: News Corp Australia

After going missing for a few days, Big Bird was returned to the Sesame Street Circus Spectacular on April 21 and found propped up against an electricity box.

A note from “the Big Bird Bandits” was left inside the beak of the costume, apologising for their actions.

“We had no idea what we were doing or what our actions would cause,” the note read.

“We were just having a rough time and were trying to cheer ourselves up.

“Sorry to be such a big birden (sic)!”