Watch as drunk thug is caught on CCTV picking up a seagull and throwing it into a brick wall – as he is spared jail
- The minute-long attack occurred in the seaside town of Scarborough
- Richard Kitching, 43, said he’d been drunk and was sorry for what he had done
- Read more: Camel tramples worker to death after he punched it in the face
A drunk thug has been spared jail after being caught on CCTV picking up a defenceless seagull and slamming it into a brick wall.
The shocking footage released by police shows Richard Kitching, 43, scooping up the bird in his left hand before parading down the street with it.
He then makes an attempt to rub the seagull in two other men’s faces before viciously throwing it into a wall in the seaside town of Scarborough, North Yorkshire.
Kitching then decides to launch the bird across the other side of the road.
The minute-long attack only ended when a passerby moved the bird away from Kitching. Police said the gull was alive after the attack and hasn’t been located since.
The moment Richard Kitching picks up the defenceless seagull in the seaside town of Scarborough, North Yorkshire
Kitching parades around with the bird in his left hand as if it is a trophy
The 43-year-old was given a 32 week prison sentence, suspended for 12 months, on Monday at Scarborough Magistrates Court.
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, 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.
The moment Kitching decides to throw the poor seagull into a wall
The bird is then launched into the air and flies across to the other side of the street
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.
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.’
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