CONVICTED (2023) | Abraham Andemariam, born c. 1992, of Asbridge Street, Toxteth, Liverpool L8 0UG – callously drove through a gaggle of geese and left the injured birds dying in the road.
Eritrean national Abraham Andemariam was captured on smart doorbell footage killing seven geese on Omega Boulevard in Great Sankey, Warrington, in July 2023.
Witnesses were distressed by the suffering of the birds, a court heard.
Tom Quirk, prosecuting, said the incident happened at about 07:00 BST on 15 July.
Andemariam “drove through a flock of geese killing seven of them” then carried on to work, he told the court.
Mr Quirk said “there was clear disregard for the animals in the road”.
A witness saw “the birds suffering on the floor causing her some distress”, he said.
“The birds were dying and also had dramatic injuries with skin torn away from their limbs.
“There were passengers inside the vehicle and residents were caused distress by what they witnessed and this was after aggressive driving.”
Mr Quirk said when police went to Andemariam’s work they saw feathers on the front of his bonnet and identified him as the driver.
He was subsequently sacked from his job with Amazon.
Andemariam was found guilty in his absence in September 2023 of seven charges of intentionally killing a wild bird, a Greylag Goose, and also driving without due care and without an MOT certificate.
Rebecca Templeman, defending, said Andemariam had admitted the offences in interview and was convicted in his absence after the death of his 16-year-old brother.
The defendant had travelled to the scene and emailed the court asking for an adjournment but he did not receive the postal reply and missed the hearing, she said.
On his return he saw in a newspaper he was wanted and surrendered himself to police.
Miss Templeman said Andemariam “was appalled when shown the CCTV footage and visibly upset at what he did that day”.
Andemariam pleaded guilty and was given a suspended 12-week jail term.
Sentencing | 12-week custodial, suspended for one year. 50 hours of unpaid work and 10 days of rehabilitation activities; £154 victim surcharge and court costs of £120. A collection order was made for deductions from benefits. Banned from driving for six months.
Put him on the next plane back home.