Man banned after capturing wild tawny owls

A man has been disqualified from keeping birds after capturing wild owls and keeping them in cramped conditions with no access to clean water.

The three tawny owls were found at the home of Alan Mee, 61, after a tip off to authorities about the illegal possessions.

The birds, two of which are believed to have been taken from the wild, were kept in an aviary which was too small, had dirty water, and no feeding area, police say.

Officers from Cheshire Police's Rural Crime Team, Merseyside Police, RSPCA, and Natural England executed the search warrant on his home following tips about the illegal possessions.