A man has been sentenced after a shocking CCTV video emerged of him throwing a seagull at a brick wall.
The incident happened at around 2.20am on Saturday, August 13 on St Thomas Street in Scarborough.
Richard Kitching approached a flock of herring gull birds (seagulls) and grabbed one before holding it over his head and swinging it around.
WARNING: Graphic content below
He then threw it into a brick wall and then picked it up again and threw it across the road where it hit the ground and made no effort to move away.
Police said by chance that a North Yorkshire Police officer and Scarborough Borough Council CCTV operator were watching the street on a camera at the time.
The officer attended the area and arrested Kitching, after which several members of the public came forward to speak to the police about their distress at what they had seen.
One witness said they approached the bird after the incident and moved it away so it wasn’t hurt again.
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He then described the bird as slowly flapping its wings, having no energy, and being unresponsive to his presence.
When Kitching, aged 43, from Scarborough, was later interviewed by police and an RSPCA inspector, he said he had been drunk and was sorry for what he had done.
He was charged with causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, taking a wild bird, and a public order offence of causing harassment, alarm or distress.
At Scarborough Magistrates Court on Monday, February 7, Kitching was given a 32-week suspended prison sentence and ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work.
He must also pay fines and costs totalling £172, and has been disqualified from keeping any animals for 12 months.
Lee Holmes, North Yorkshire Police’s Rural Taskforce, led the investigation, he said: “Kitching’s actions that night were cruel and shocking.
“The footage of the incident is sickening, and it’s almost beyond belief that someone could behave in this way.
“It’s not surprising that other members of the public were appalled by what they saw, and I’m grateful to those who provided witness statements to ensure Kitching could be brought to justice.
“Although some may see herring gulls as pests, they are sadly a species in decline, and nothing can justify cruelty towards them.
“I hope this prosecution sends a strong message to people that mistreating these birds will not be tolerated, and we will take robust action against those who do.”
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RSPCA Inspector and National Wildlife Coordinator Geoff Edmond, said: “I am appalled that this horrific incident has taken place.
“This gull has been tossed about like an object with total disregard for this bird's feelings. It will have suffered pain and distress as a result of this unnecessary attack.
“We must take deliberate attacks on wildlife very seriously and this can be achieved by working in partnership with the Police and Crown Prosecution Service.
“I would like to thank North Yorkshire Police for the thorough investigation that has been undertaken to place this case before the court.”
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