Man kicked seagull to death at train station
BIRD KILLED IN ‘MINDLESS AND VIOLENT ATTACK’
A MAN who kicked a seagull to death at a train station has been fined.
Martin Maguire, 52, of no fixed abode, was captured on CCTV kicking the bird and stamping on its head at Holyhead Train Station on Anglesey.
He was seen on camera last August trapping the wild bird into a corner before attacking it.
Maguire was caught after turning up to the train station three months later, and this month was found guilty at Caernarfon Magistrates Court of intentionally killing a wild bird.
The court heard that at around 5.30am on August 7, Maguire followed a seagull who was walking down a platform and purposely trapped it into a corner by some poster boards.
CCTV shows Maguire then kicking and stamping down on the head of the seagull several times, killing it, before walking away.
A member of station staff was starting their shift soon after and found the dead seagull with a broken neck and snapped wing.
After an investigation by British Transport Police officers, Maguire was arrested after being spotted at Holyhead Station in November.
Investigating Officer PC Harry Thompson said: “This was a mindless and violent attack on an innocent animal, who suffered a painful, unnecessary and cruel death at the hands of Maguire.
“It was also incredibly distressing for the member of staff who found the dead seagull, and then had to watch Maguire’s attack in full on CCTV.
“I am pleased we were able to bring him before the courts as violence against anyone, including animals, will not be tolerated.”
At court he was fined £180, and ordered to pay a surcharge of £30 to fund victim services, plus £200 in costs.