Drug addict does bird for stealing parrot (From Epsom Guardian)

Drug addict does bird for stealing parrot

8:42am Thursday 17th July 2008

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An exotic pet shop owner who had a squawking parrot stolen from his store has slammed the six- month sentence handed to the thief for being too lenient.

Alan Matson, owner of Ashford Aquatics, in Horton Road, Stanwell Moor, said he was pleased the drug addict thief was behind bars, but said the sentence should have been six years.

“You do feel sorry for the darling little thing - it is down right cruel.”

Alan Matson

It is unknown where the hand-reared African grey parrot, which had a £1,000 price tag, is now but Mr Matson thinks it unlikely the 14-week-old bird would have survived its ordeal.

He said: "You do feel sorry for the darling little thing - it is down right cruel."

Neil Howard, 27, of Hatchett Road, Feltham, who had been a drug addict for 10 years, appeared before Richmond magistrates on Monday and admitted stealing the bird, which had no name, along with a bottle of perfume from Superdrug in Whitton High Street, and two counts of breaching his bail conditions.

According to evidence read out in court and from shop staff, Howard made off with the bird on Tuesday, January 29, having distracted a young sales assistant by asking for a tissue.

He cut the locks off the parrot's cage using a pair of stolen pliers, lifted the lid and put the squawking bird in his bag. He then made off through the back door and escaped in a waiting 4x4.

Mr Matson said this breed of parrot would not resist being held by a stranger. He added: "If he'd have tried the macaw he would have known about it."

Chairman of Richmond magistrates, Mrs Samuels, said: "I hope you use your sentence to sort out your drug problems and when you come out turn your life around."

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