JAY MCINTOSH OF BUCKIE SENTENCED TO 15 MONTHS FOR SEAGULL CRIME AND VIOLENCE

Jay McIntosh, born circa 2020 and residing on Wallace Avenue, Buckie AB56 1NJ, was convicted in 2022 for the brutal killing of baby seagulls. It is reported that his issues with drugs and alcohol contributed to his violent behavior.

In May 2023, McIntosh was also jailed for assaulting his girlfriend. The earlier incident involving the seagulls left him covered in blood after he carried out what was described as a 'reprehensible' attack on three-day-old chicks in Buckie.

McIntosh appeared in court concerning this violent act, as well as another incident that prompted an armed police response and a six-hour standoff. Elgin Sheriff Court was told that on June 17, 2022, McIntosh was seen shouting and swearing on Wallace Avenue at about 8pm.

Fiscal depute Victoria Silver stated: “He was angry and frantically searching for his front teeth.”

A neighbor witnessed the attack, saying: “At this point she watched him stamp three times onto seagull chicks that were about three days old and lying on the ground.” She confronted him, and he responded, “I don’t give a fuck.”

When police arrived, they found two dead seagull chicks on the road. McIntosh, who was nearby, had blood on his white trainers and hands. Ms Silver recounted: “He told police ‘I don’t give a damn… fuck those birds’ and ‘I stomped on those birds ha ha ha. I don’t give a fuck’.”

McIntosh appeared via videolink from HMP Inverness. He pleaded guilty to multiple charges including three counts of threatening or abusive behavior, two of theft, one of assault causing injury, another assault, failure to comply with a breath test, and the killing of the seagulls.

Previously at Inverness Sheriff Court, he received a 12-month sentence for spitting at police officers and threatening to harm an officer’s family. An additional 15 months was added for his recent offending.

Defence solicitor Stephen Carty explained that McIntosh's actions were heavily influenced by substance misuse and initially, he did not understand the seriousness of the police siege. He said: “In the cold light of day, of course, he perceives the gravity of that. At the time he didn’t realise how many officers were involved or the scale of the operation. It’s a matter of great regret to him.”

Regarding the bird deaths, Carty acknowledged the behavior as “reprehensible” and pointed out that drugs and alcohol played a significant role, noting that McIntosh now recognizes his actions as entirely unacceptable.

He was sentenced to 15 months in jail for the latest charges.