ladbible logo

To make sure you never miss out on your favourite NEW stories, we're happy to send you some reminders

Click 'OK' then 'Allow' to enable notifications

Seaside Visitor Sentenced After Killing The Seagull That Stole His Chips

Seaside Visitor Sentenced After Killing The Seagull That Stole His Chips

John Llewellyn Jones was handed a 12-week curfew for brutally killing the bird in front of children and other bystanders

Rebecca Shepherd

Rebecca Shepherd

WARNING: GRAPHIC PHOTO

A man has walked free from court after smashing a seagull to death for nicking his chips as he visited the seaside on a day trip.

John Llewellyn Jones was on a day-trip in Weston-super-Mare when he grabbed the bird by the leg and smashed it against a wall in front of children and other shocked passers-by.

John Llewellyn Jones was left with an empty container.
Caters

The 64-year-old, who was visiting from Cardiff in July last year, had some chips which the bird knocked out of his hand, North Somerset Magistrates' Court was told.

In retaliation to the bird's actions, Jones caught the protected gull by the leg and bashed it against a wall, resulting in its death.

According to the RSPCA, he left by-standers 'shocked' at what they had witnessed, with children among their number.

The bird died after it was smashed against the wall.
Caters

Jones pleaded not guilty to an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, the Mirror reports.

But magistrates found him guilty after hearing evidence from two witnesses who they believed gave 'credible and compelling' evidence.

Jones was then handed a 12-week curfew, meaning he must stay at his registered address for a period of 12 hours, between 8pm and 8am.

He was also ordered to pay £750 ($990) in costs and an £80 ($105) victim surcharge. So this turned out to be an expensive portion of fries.

Jones' actions were branded 'unthinkable and despicable'.
Caters

A spokesperson for the RSPCA explained that Jones showed a 'blatant disregard for animal welfare' and 'cared more for his chips than what his actions did to the poor gull'.

Simon Evans, RSPCA inspector, said: "This was an unthinkable and despicable way to treat an animal with this gull smashed against a wall by the man solely because it knocked chips from his hand.

"This was deliberate cruelty borne from the fact that this man cared more for his chips than what his actions did to the poor gull. Simply, the man showed blatant disregard for an animal because he was annoyed about his chips.

"Witnesses saw the attack and shocked by-standers, including children, had to look on as the man killed the gull."

One witness said that Jones told witnesses they should teach their children about 'vermin'.
Caters

Rachael Beer, 40, was one of the witnesses to the incident. She explained: "I heard one of the mums say, 'Why did you do that in front of my child?' and he said, 'It's vermin, you should teach your children about vermin.'

"I was like, 'Oh my god, that man has just tried to kill a seagull.' I walked up to the gull and took a photo of it and then him.

"I said, 'Why did you do that?' and he just shrugged his shoulders and walked away."

Featured Image Credit: Caters

Topics: Attack, UK News, crime

Choose your content: