A man has been given a curfew and fined after he was caught illegally catching wild birds.

Julius Gadzor, of Wellington Street, Gravesend, appeared at Medway Magistrates' Court on Monday November 12 where he admitted to possessing wild birds and trapping them.

Officers from the Rural Task Force joined forced with the RSPCA on Thursday, June 14 to conduct a search of the man's home following a tip off they received from the RSPB.

A number of caged wild birds were seized as well as rat glue and other bird trapping equipment.

Gadzor was interviewed four days later where he admitted that he was trying to catch them illegally in his garden.

The 39-year-old was given a 28-day curfew, requiring him to stay at home between 7pm and 7am, and was ordered to pay £300 in costs and a £85 victim surcharge.

Sergeant Darren Walshaw, who co-ordinated the search, said: "This is an excellent example of partnership working. The intelligence received from the RSPB allowed us to gain enough information to request a search warrant and the case built by the RSPCA resulted in the man having to admit his guilt.

"Bird trapping is not only illegal, it is incredibly cruel. We are committed to working with our partner agencies to put these criminals, who illegally trap birds for their own financial gain, before the court."

A spokesman for the RSPCA said: "To take a wild bird from its natural habitat and shut it inside a tiny cage is so cruel. They suffer greatly in captivity, are not used to being in cages and, sadly, often die.

"All wild birds in England and Wales, their nests and their eggs are protected by the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and actions may only be taken under specific licences.’

"It is illegal under the Wildlife and Countryside Act to trap wild birds."