Sunderland man who performed sex act while kneeling over captured seagull caught on CCTV
A man has admitted performing a sex act while kneeling over a captured seagull
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A man has admitted performing a sex act while kneeling over a captured seagull and watching pornography on his mobile phone.
David Lee admitted causing unnecessary suffering to the bird at 1am last August 17 in a back street of Gladstone Street, Sunderland.
Gulls could be heard calling out from the roof of South Tyneside Magistrates' Court as video evidence was played to the bench.
Prosecutor Lesley Burgess said that Lee chased one bird before picking up a smaller gull and was caught on CCTV holding the bird between his legs and masturbating.
David Lee admitted causing unnecessary suffering to the bird in a back street of Gladstone Street in Sunderland
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He then pulled up his pants and gave the bird a "little kick", the court heard.
Following the "bizarre" incident, the 40-year-old was arrested at a nearby takeaway and told police he picked up the gull because he thought it was hurt and was looking on his phone to find information about what he should do.
The court heard that he claimed to have searched for a vet's phone number but police checks revealed he had actually been looking at porn sites.
The charge against Lee initially said he put his penis in the bird’s beak, but that detail was changed to say he “took a wild bird and undertook a sexual act, thereby unnecessary suffering was caused”.
Annalisa Moscardini, defending, said Lee has a history of "mental ill health" and asked for a psychiatric report to be prepared ahead of sentencing.
Magistrates adjourned the case for sentencing at 2pm on May 23.
Chairman of the Bench, Fay Gilbert, told Lee: "The word 'bizarre' has been used on more than one occasion.
"I have to say that, as experienced magistrates, it is one of the most unusual cases we have come across in the magistrates' court.
"We do find this to be a deliberate or gratuitous attempt to cause suffering to an animal, or shall we say, a bird, and therefore we feel that a psychiatric report would be most appropriate in this case."
The court heard that following the sex act David Lee gave the bird a 'little kick'
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Burgess said the prosecution will ask for an order preventing Lee from owning animals.
Anna Malia, founder of North East Animal Rights group and volunteer with animal charity, Pawz for Thought, has criticised Lee's actions.
She said: "We are satisfied with today's outcome. It sends a clear message that animals are innocent and humans are not superior.
"When this bird was ill and in need of medical attention, they were captured, brutalised, and kicked aside when the perpetrator had finished with them."
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