THE RSPCA secretly filmed a 58-year-old Kent man involved in a cockfight in northern France, a court was told.

Trevor Tully, of Silverhill Cottage, Shipbourne, near Tonbridge, was found guilty of possession of cockfighting implements and spurs which are attached to the birds' legs.

Folkestone magistrates were told Tully was stopped by the RSPCA when he left a ferry in the Kent town on June 13 last year.

Tully was given a two-year conditional discharge and ordered to pay £1,500 costs. The cockfighting equipment was seized.

After the hearing, Mike Butcher, from the RSPCA, said: "It is incredible that people are travelling to France to take part in a barbaric activity."

Mr Butcher said cockfights usually resulted in the "very slow death" of both birds.

The practice is not banned by French authorities but it has been illegal for more than 170 years in this country. As Tully was involved in a cockfight in another country he could only be prosecuted for possession offences.

Mr Butcher stressed: "Although it is legal in France, we will not hesitate to prosecute anyone with any involvement here."

In court, Tully claimed that the spurs were for display purposes only but the magistrates decided there was evidence they had been used in a cockfight.