A man has been jailed after brutally killing two seagulls before impaling another helpless chick on a fence.
Terrence Johnston, 41, callously attacked the defenceless herring gull chicks on a street in Sunderland in July this year.
A court heard he first climbed a fence and caught a young gull before killing it and impaling it on the railings.
Minutes later, he then grabbed a second bird, swung it around and hit it off a surface before throwing it over the fence – causing fatal injuries.
Johnston, of Sunderland, was arrested and later admitted the killing of two wild birds when he appeared before magistrates in South Tyneside.
He was jailed for 16 weeks last Monday and branded 'appalling' by officers from Northumbria Police following the case.
Rural engagement and wildlife enforcement officer, PC Peter Baker, said: “This is an appalling case and I am pleased Johnston’s actions have led to a jail term.
"There is never any excuse for this kind of abhorrent abuse.
“Both gulls were juveniles and had only recently fledged their nests.
“It is possible that they were not yet able to fully fly – so were defenceless.
“I sincerely hope this case sends out a strong message to everyone.
"Wildlife crime is something we take seriously and we are committed to taking swift and robust action against anyone who hurts or abuses animals.
“We will continue to work with our colleagues and partners, including the RSPCA, to educate those across our region of the importance of looking after animals.
“I’d like to thank the public for their ongoing cooperation and would encourage any incidents of animal abuse or cruelty to be reported to us or the RSPCA, so we can investigate and action can be taken.”
Earlier this year the Mirror reported on a man who savagely beat a seagull to death, after it tried to snatch his kid's ice cream from their hand.
The unidentified man was alleged to have “repeatedly kicked” the herring gull in public, as he launched his revenge attack.
Reports suggested that prior to the beating the seagull had been “perfectly healthy” but tragically died within 24 hours of the incident, due to its injuries.
Mousehole Wild Bird Hospital in Cornwall tended to the gull in its final hours and said they were “shocked and saddened” by the callous brutality of the tragedy.
A spokesperson said that when the bird arrived to the hospital it was so badly injured it could barely stand or hold its head up. It would die hours later.
The bird hospital reminded people that all wild birds are protected and that it is an offence to injure or kill a seagull.
