The former owner of a world famous birds of prey centre has avoided jail for stealing six owls and illegally selling three protected Black Kites.

At Gloucester Crown Court on Monday Keith Beaven, 68, was given a 40 week prison term, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to pay more than £16,000 in fines, costs and compensation.Judge William Hart told him that some of his thefts of birds which had been loaned to him by other zoos, were 'examples of blatant dishonesty'. But the judge said he was satisfied Beaven had not ill treated or harmed any of the birds and that he had sold them to reputable people who knew how to look after them.Beavan committed the offences while running the International Birds of Prey Centre at Newent, or shortly after he had sold it.

For the full story please see this week's Ross Gazette.