No swan on the menu

Published: Monday, 21 June 2010

A CHEF admitted killing a swan on the River Great Ouse at   Bedford, just missing going to jail.

Mohammed Miah however, after pleading guilty to killing a wild bird received a suspended jail sentence at Bedford Magistrates' Court, Alan Tilbury tells us.

Twisting it neck

He admitted killing the swan, but was seen twisting its neck, then leaving it to die flapping its wings, returning later when it was dead and putting it in a plastic bag.

It was a porter at the nearby Park Inn who saw him pick up the bird and place it in a black bag and walk off along the river, the court was told.  He called the police, but when they found the culprit, there was no bag, which was later found in a bin.

Blood

There was blood on his head, jacket and jeans, and bird droppings on his shoes and a white feather in his hair, the court heard.

RSPB inspector Mark Thomas related:

"In 15 years I have never seen anything like this before. The swan must  have suffered a tremendous amount of pain.  Mr Miah has been very fortunate to escape going straight to jail. Four people have gone to prison for killing swans in the past 10 years."