A YOUNG man has been caught red-handed by police while shooting at ducks with an air pistol at Cottington Lakes in Sholden, near Deal.

The 22-year-old man and three friends had come down from Dartford and paid for a day’s fishing at the private fishery.

While down at the lake fishing they were seen by another angler trying to shoot at ducks and the matter was reported to fishery manager Jeff Watts.

“I immediately telephoned the police,” said Mr Watts. “They were here within five minutes and caught him red-handed with the gun.”

The man was then arrested by police for possessing an air weapon in a public place and cautioned.

Mr Watts said he was not certain whether the group had managed to actually hit or kill any ducks.

“One of the lads claimed to have shot one, but I looked and couldn’t find it,” he said. “The reeds are very thick though.”

There are many ducks, geese and other wildlife at the lakes, which the fishery tries to encourage. But they do not allow any type of firearm, or use of catapults or stones.

An RSPCA spokesman said: “The RSPCA believes that sport does not justify the causing of suffering to birds and other animals and is opposed to shooting for sport.”