A drunk thug was caught on CCTV picking up a defenceless seagull and cruelly slamming it into a brick wall, a court heard. Shocking images show Richard Kitching, 43, scoop up the bird before walking down the street and throwing it into the wall.
Images released by police also show boozed-up Kitching throw the seagull across the other side of the road during the minute-long attack. The attack only ended when a passerby moved the bird away from Kitching. Police said the gull was alive after the attack and hadn't been located since.
Kitching, wearing shorts, can be seen stalking the bird before grabbing it by its neck and hoisting it above his head in his left hand like a trophy. During the sickening incident, which happened at around 2.20am on August 13 last year, he can be seen swinging it around as he saunters down the street.
