A man who trapped and caged wild birds got a three-year ban and a hefty legal bill after a court heard his cruelty meant a bird had to be put to sleep.

Chief Inspector Paul Stilgoe, of the RSPCA, with the chardonneret bird trap. Picture: Paul Baker

The RSPCA welcomed the sentence imposed on William Edeson, 39, who faced 12 charges connected with the possession of, and causing suffering to, wild birds as well as the possession of devices intended to capture more.

York Magistrates Court heard how Edeson, of Clifton Caravan Site, York, had failed to take a bullfinch to a vet despite it having a gangrenous leg because of a tight-fitting identification ring. After RSPCA intervention it was put to sleep.

Edeson pleaded guilty to causing unnecessary suffering by failing to provide care and attention. He also admitted the possession of tacky "birdlime", designed to stick birds to branches upon landing, and two wild bird traps.

He denied ever possessing the bullfinch or another bird, a siskin. He claimed to be looking after the bullfinch for a friend. But he admitted having three goldfinches on September 25 last year, when he was paid a visit by RSPCA Chief Inspector Paul Stilgoe.

RSPCA prosecutor Peter Tetlow told the court yesterday: "This practice is more than a hobby. It is a substantial commercial enterprise. The value of some of these birds can be up to £25 each.

"When Chief Inspector Stilgoe went to the defendant's address he saw the damaged bird with a complete ring forced on to its leg. This was obviously to enhance its value."

Mr Tetlow added that a vet who later examined the bird said it had a severely damaged right leg which had gone gangrenous after the blood supply had been cut off by the ring.

Craig Robertson, defending father-of-six Edeson, said his client had long had a love of animals and that the capturing of birds was purely for enjoyment.

Regarding the injured bullfinch, Mr Robertson said Edeson never "ringed" the bird and only expected to be holding on to it for "a few minutes" until his friend came to claim it.

With the expensive investigation stretching back to last November, Edeson was ordered to pay £1,459 costs. He was banned from keeping birds for three years and granted a conditional discharge.

The remaining captive birds were ordered to be handed over and the traps to be disposed.

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds said traps like the ones owned by Edeson are widely used throughout the country, and are known as 'chardonneret' traps. A twig is used to keep their spring-loaded lids open. They then snap shut when a bird lands.

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