Sunderland man Dave Lee admits performing a sex act on a small seagull

2023-04-26

Man, 40, who performed sex act while kneeling over a captured seagull admits causing unnecessary suffering to an animal

David Lee from Sunderland, 40, dragged the innocent seagull down an alley
He was caught on CCTV pleasuring himself while the bird was between his knees

A man has admitted performing a sex act while kneeling over a captured seagull and watching pornography on his mobile phone.

David Lee, 40, admitted causing unnecessary suffering to the bird at 1am on August 17 in a back street of Gladstone Street, Sunderland.

Gulls on the roof of South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court could be heard calling out as the bench watched CCTV of the ‘bizarre’ incident.

Lesley Burgess, prosecuting, told the court Lee chased one bird before picking up a smaller gull – and was caught on CCTV performing a sex act. He then gave the bird a ‘little kick’, the court heard.

David Lee, 40, admitted causing unnecessary suffering to the bird at 1am on August 17 in a back street of Gladstone Street, Sunderland

Lee was arrested at a nearby takeaway and told police he picked up the gull because he thought it was hurt and was looking on his phone to find out what he should do.

But instead of searching for a vet’s phone number, as he claimed to have done, police checks revealed Lee had actually been looking at porn sites, the court was told.

Annalisa Moscardini, defending, said Lee has a history of ‘mental ill health’ and asked for a psychiatric report to be prepared ahead of sentencing.

Magistrates adjourned the case for sentencing at 2pm on May 23.

Chairman of the Bench, Fay Gilbert, told Lee: ‘The word “bizarre” has been used on more than one occasion.

‘I have to say that, as experienced magistrates, it is one of the most unusual cases we have come across in the magistrates’ court.

‘We do find this to be a deliberate or gratuitous attempt to cause suffering to an animal, or shall we say, a bird, and therefore we feel that a psychiatric report would be most appropriate in this case.’

David Lee, 40, admitted causing unnecessary suffering to the bird at 1am on August 17 in a back street of Gladstone Street, Sunderland

Ms Burgess said the prosecution will ask for an order preventing Lee from owning animals.

Anna Malia, founder of North East Animal Rights group and volunteer with animal charity, Pawz for Thought, condemned Lee’s actions.

She said: ‘We are satisfied with today’s outcome. It sends a clear message that animals are innocent and humans are not superior.

‘When this bird was ill and in need of medical attention, they were captured, brutalised, and kicked aside when the perpetrator had finished with them.

She continued: ‘We want to say a huge thank you to Northumbria Police and PC Peter Baker for their dedication and commitment to bring this case to court. We want to send a message to those who think it is acceptable to hurt wildlife – we will find you, we will pursue you through the legal system with all the publicity that may bring.’

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