Accused echidna thief to plead guilty

It's the "prickly situation" which has quickly become a nightmare for an accused echidna thief.

Tyson Paul Bothur, 20, told a police prosecutor he was struggling every day since being charged with the theft of Piggie the echidna from a Gold Coast wildlife sanctuary last month.

Bothur was hoping to settle the matter at Southport Magistrates Court with a guilty plea on Tuesday but expressed his frustration when told by Senior Constable Donna Minns the matter would be adjourned.

Bothur is facing a charge of animal cruelty and entering a premises with intent over the alleged theft.

Piggie's capture from and subsequent return to the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary created a social media storm last month.

Bothur subsequently quipped it was a "prickly situation" to media as he left his initial court appearance.

But his tune had changed on Tuesday, admitting he was hoping to put the matter to bed by pleading guilty to both charges and an unrelated drugs charge.

Snr Cnst Minns told the court the animal cruelty charge was a serious offence and she needed time to seek comparative sentences to put before the court.

The matter has been adjourned until October 16.