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.
He then threw the bird into a brick wall, before picking it up again and tossing it across the road where it hit the ground again. Magistrates heard how one witness described approaching the bird after the incident and moving it away from Kitching, so it was not hurt again.
He said the bird was slowly flapping its wings, having no energy and unresponsive to his presence. The court also heard how a police officer and council worker saw the sickening scenes unfold live as they monitored CCTV cameras.
The officer then arrested Kitching, who was later interviewed by police and an RSPCA inspector. He said he'd been drunk and was sorry for what he had done, the court was told.
Kitching, of Scarborough, North Yorkshire, where the incident took place, 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. He pleaded guilty to all counts and was given a 32-week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid work on Monday at Scarborough Magistrates' Court.
He must also pay £172 in fines and costs and has been disqualified from keeping any animals for 12 months. PC Lee Holmes from North Yorkshire Police branded Kitching’s actions as 'cruel and shocking'.
He added: "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."
RSPCA inspector Geoff Edmond described the incident as 'horrific' and said the gull will have 'suffered pain and distress' from the 'unnecessary attack.'
He 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."
