Polegate Man Sentenced For Animal Cruelty

Tuesday, 16 August 2022 06:00

By Jade McLean

A man who kept a wild goldfinch in a cage has been banned for life from keeping or transporting birds.

Earlier this year, police entered a property in Windmill Hill to find a wild goldfinch (pictured) locked in a cage.

The RSPCA took the bird into its care but were unable to save it and it died 10 days later, of what was believed to be stress from being taken from its natural habitat.

Tyler Earwaker, 22, was arrested on suspicion of possessing a wild bird contrary to the Wildlife and Countryside Act.

Following an interview by the Rural Crime Team, he was charged and pleaded guilty to the offence when he appeared at Hastings Magistrates’ Court last Wednesday (August 10).

Earwaker, of Beatty Road in Eastbourne, was sentenced to 100 hours of unpaid work, ordered to pay a £95 victim surcharge and £85 in court costs, and given a Community Protection Warning (CPW) that instructs him not to trespass on any private land without the landowner’s written permission.

He was also banned for life from dealing in, keeping, transporting or arranging transport for any type of bird or wildfowl.

Rural Crime Team PC Carlo Leone said:

“The trade in wild songbirds such as this is a cruel one. Removing a wild bird from its natural habitat and placing it in a tiny cage for a person’s own amusement can cause the birds to suffer immeasurably, as happened in this case.

“We take offences against all animals incredibly seriously, and will not tolerate any behaviour which causes distress or harm to wildlife.”

Anyone who has information relating to wildlife offences is encouraged to report it to police online or by calling 101. Always dial 999 in an emergency.