Shocking moment pensioner kills seagull with his walking stick after it made a grab for his Greggs lunch – earning himself a £1,000 court bill
- GRAPHIC CONTENT: John Nicholson convicted of intentionally killing wild bird
- He was ordered to pay £180 for each of his two charges and some £652 in costs
- Court heard CCTV footage ‘clearly shows an act of intent by the defendant’
Shocking footage has captured the moment a furious pensioner killed a seagull with his walking stick after it tried to grab his Greggs lunch.
John Nicholson, 68, from Gronant near Prestatyn, was ordered to pay more than £1,000 after he was convicted of intentionally killing a wild bird in Rhyl, north Wales on January 30.
The pensioner was also convicted of disorderly behaviour by being abusive to police at Llandudno Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday.
CCTV footage from Market Street captures Nicholson as he walks towards a flock of seagulls who had gathered on the pavement, clutching a white paper bag in one hand.
He then suddenly strikes at one of the birds as shocked onlookers watch, before turning and walking away from the scene.
Nicholson appears to place the paper bag in his pocket as he heads towards the nearby Lorne Hotel and the clip comes to an end.
John Nicholson, 68, from Gronant near Prestatyn, was ordered to pay more than £1,000 after he was convicted of intentionally killing a wild bird in Rhyl, north Wales on January 30. Pictured: The scene
At Llandudno Magistrates’ Court, chairman Alwyn Lloyd Ellis said the CCTV ‘clearly shows an act of intent by the defendant. As a result the bird died.’
Mr Nicholson was arrested under the Wildlife Countryside Act Protection of Birds law after the gull was found ‘smashed to bits’ at midday on January 30.
A bystander said she had to box up the seagull’s remains to prevent children from seeing the ‘disgusting’ scene.
A spokesman for North Wales Police said at the time: ‘We responded to an incident on Market Street, Rhyl at 12.26 pm yesterday following reports that an elderly man was hitting a bird with a walking stick.
‘The 67-year old man has now been arrested under the Wildlife Countryside Act Protection of Birds law and has been taken into custody.’
CCTV footage from Market Street captures Nicholson as he walks towards a flock of seagulls who had gathered on the pavement, clutching a white paper bag in one hand
Nicholson appears to place the paper bag in his pocket as he heads towards the nearby Lorne Hotel and the clip comes to an end
An RSPCA Cymru spokesperson added: ‘These allegations are very shocking and extremely serious.
‘This matter is being investigated by North Wales Police and we are unable to comment further for legal reasons.’
Nicholson had no previous convictions and was fined in his absence.
He was ordered to pay £180 for each of the two charges and £652 in costs.
Pictured: The Greggs shop in Market Street where Mr Nicholson purchased his lunch