Woman who allegedly walked a seagull on a lead in York city centre flees court

A woman accused of injuring a seagull after taking the bird for a walk on a LEAD through York city centre fled from court today before her case could been heard.
Fly-tipper in courtFly-tipper in court
Fly-tipper in court

Anna Marshall, 44, of no fixed address, was taking advice from her solicitor when she fled the court - taking two cans of Guinness along with her.

Marshall’s case was due to be heard today (July 15) at York Magistrates Court.

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Magistrates will this afternoon consider issuing a warrant for her arrest if she fails to return to the building.

Kevin Blount, representing Marshall said: “Miss Marshall has left the building so the courts are going to issue a warrant unless she returns.

“The reality is that the police are unlikely to get her in unless her behaviour is such that she gets picked up for something else.”

North Yorkshire Police were called to York city centre on Wednesday July 2 following reports of an incident after after a member of the public spotted a seagull being tethered to a lead.

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The seagull was apparently rescued from Marshall by cops just after 11.30am and was taken to a local veterinarian to be checked over.

However, a police spokeswoman confirmed the gull’s head and wing injuries were so severe that the bird later had to be put down.

The woman was charged with taking, injuring the seagull and will also face charges of using threatening and abusive behaviour.

Speaking about the incident, a North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “On arrival, officers discovered that the seagull was injured.

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“A 44-year-old woman, of no fixed address, has been charged with using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour to cause harassment, alarm or distress, taking a wild bird, and injuring a wild bird.”