Despite being suspected of attempted murder, the alleged perpetrator was found “unfit for interview” and let go, the police have said
UK police have released a man on bail who allegedly threw a toddler into a zoo crocodile enclosure, after he was “assessed as not being fit for interview,” the Cambridgeshire Constabulary said in a press release on Friday.
The incident took place at the Johnsons of Old Hurst zoo in Cambridgeshire on Thursday. The three-year-old boy was visiting the crocodile enclosure with his family when the suspect allegedly threw him over a four-foot fence and into the enclosure, where he fell more than 12 feet and landed among the reptiles.
The zoo owner’s wife, Tracey Johnson, reportedly leapt in after the child, and pulled him out of the enclosure.
“She’d always put her own life at risk to save someone else. She’s an extraordinary lady and very brave,” the BBC cited National Centre For Reptile Welfare director Chris Newman as saying.
The toddler was taken to a nearby hospital with serious injuries and was in critical but stable condition, police said. He suffered suspected fractures to his arm and pelvis after landing on concrete and was also attacked by a crocodile, The Sun reported.
The alleged perpetrator, described as “a 30-year-old man from Norfolk” was arrested on suspicion of attempted murder but later bailed out after being assessed as not “fit for interview,” the police said. The man has “learning difficulties,” according to The Sun.
The suspect’s release has sparked outrage online, with many arguing that the man is a danger to society.
“Imagine living in a country where you go straight to jail for a tweet, but get bail after being arrested for ‘allegedly’ throwing a 3 year old baby into a crocodile enclosure!” one X user wrote.
The UK’s Labour government has faced accusations of ‘two-tier’ policing since the 2024 Southport riots, when hundreds were arrested for online posts – while criminals were given early releases to make room in prisons for the new arrivals.
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