Meerkat expert cleared of glassing monkey handler in fight over llama-keeper
What appears to be a bizarre love triangle at London Zoo has resulted in a lot of hurt feelings, and cost a zookeeper her job.
Caroline Westlake, a former meerkat expert, has been cleared of assault on Tuesday by the High Court in England. It was deemed she did not "recklessly" injure monkey handler Kate Sanders after an argument, according to The Associated Press.
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The pair, who both dated llama-keeper Adam Davies, were arguing at a zoo Christmas party in 2014, when Sanders suffered a cut cheek from a wine glass. Westlake has expressed she doesn't recall hitting Sanders with the glass, which resulted in her being fired from her job at the zoo.
In October, Westlake was found guilty of the assault.
On Tuesday, Westminster Magistrates’ Court found that Westlake instead struck Sanders "recklessly but not intentionally," according to AP. The High Court said magistrates had applied for the wrong legal test for recklessness, and overturned the original conviction.
"Ms. Westlake's life has been destroyed by something that was no more than an unfortunate accident," Westlake's lawyer, Suzanne Kelly, said Tuesday, according to AP. "Justice has now been served and Ms. Westlake would now appreciate the opportunity to put this matter behind her and rebuild her life."
Image: Oli Scarff/Getty Images
Proof that behind the cuteness, there's not always a happy time.
