CONVICTED (2023) | Richard Kitching, born 11 October 1979, of Trafalgar Road, Scarborough YO12 7QR – picked up a herring gull, swung it around and threw it into a brick wall.
Rich Kitching’s attack on the herring gull, which took place at 2:20am on Saturday August 13, 2022, on St Thomas Street in Scarborough, was captured on CCTV.
The shocking footage released by police shows Kitching approaching a flock of herring gull birds. He grabbed one, held it over his head, and began swinging it around. He then attempts to rub the seagull in two other men’s faces before viciously throwing it into a wall. Finally he threw the bird across the road where it hit the ground and made no effort to move away.
The minute-long attack only ended when a passer-by moved the bird away from Kitching.
By chance, a North Yorkshire Police officer and Scarborough Borough Council CCTV operator were watching St Thomas Street on camera at the time, and witnessed the incident in full. The officer attended the area, and arrested Kitching. In addition, several members of the public came forward to speak to the police about their distress at what they had seen.
One witness described approaching the bird after the incident, and moving it away so it was not hurt again. He described the bird as slowly flapping its wings, having no energy, and unresponsive to his presence.
When Kitching was interviewed later by police and an RSPCA inspector, he said he had been drunk and was sorry for what he had done.
He 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.
PC Lee Holmes, from North Yorkshire Police’s Rural Taskforce, led the investigation. He said: “Kitching’s actions that night were cruel and shocking. 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.
“Although some may see herring gulls as pests, they are sadly a species in decline, and nothing can justify cruelty towards them. I hope this prosecution sends a strong message to people that mistreating these birds will not be tolerated, and we will take robust action against those who do.”
RSPCA Inspector and National Wildlife Coordinator Geoff Edmond 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.
“We must take deliberate attacks on wildlife very seriously and this can be achieved by working in partnership with the Police and Crown Prosecution Service. I would like to thank North Yorkshire Police for the thorough investigation that has been undertaken to place this case before the court.”
Sentencing | 32-week suspended prison sentence; 100 hours of unpaid work; fines and costs totalling £172. Disqualified from keeping any animals for 12 months (expires February 2024).
