CONVICTED (2020) | Mark Tims, born c. 1964, of Harepath Road, Seaton EX12 2HE – used a hockey stick to kill a seagull Tims admitted causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal after bashing a seagull to death with a hockey stick. He then placed its remains in a bin liner and stood on it. The court heard from Tims’ probation officer that the gulls were “mating [and] making a considerable noise, disturbance and mess from dawn until dusk”. Tims’ lawyer told the court her client was suffering from sleep deprivation at the time of the incident. This, she said caused him to “emotionally … lose it” and to commit “an act out of character”. Tims was “so embarrassed” about the incident, he had not told his family and was “full of remorse”, the court heard. Sentencing: eight weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months; £428 costs; six rehabilitation days. BBC News