ANIMAL welfare officers found caged wild birds and baited traps when they raided a North-East home, a court heard yesterday.

Brothers John and David Dugdale pleaded guilty to possessing live wild birds when they appeared before Bishop Auckland magistrates.

The birds were recovered by RSPCA inspector Gavin Butterfield when he, along with police officers, raided John Dugdale's home in Shafto Street, Byers Green, County Durham, last September.

John Dugdale, 44, admitted four offences of keeping a male and a female bullfinch, a male lesser redpoll, and a male siskin.

In December 2001, he received a community rehabilitation order when the same court found him guilty of ten similar offences.

David Dugdale, 54, of Beverley Court, Jarrow, South Tyneside, admitted having a male bullfinch. Three other charges were withdrawn.

RSPCA prosecutor Kevin Campbell read evidence from wildlife expert Roger Caton that he believed the birds to be wild. He based his view on their behaviour, appearance and the condition of rings fitted to their legs.

Magistrates ordered probation reports on both defendants and adjourned the case until August 31. The maximum penalty for each charge is six months in prison.

The brothers could face having to pay costs totalling £3,400, including £960 for the birds' care.

The court ordered that the birds should be forfeited to the RSPCA, which is assessing them to see whether they can be released into the wild