Incredible CCTV imaged have been released showing a drunken thug carrying a seagull around a news agents before throwing it at a man in the street.
Paul Elcombe, 29, grabbed the injured bird in the road and held it aloft to customers in a shop late at night.
He even lifted the bird above his head in good-natured exchanges at the Premier Store after a two-day drink and drugs bender.
However, the playful incident turned to sour when Elcombe launched the bird at the stranger before launching kicks and punches at him as he lay on the ground.
The gull was caught on CCTV apparently flying away normal. The man was left with a broken jaw outside the Mutley store, according to Plymouth Live.
Elcombe, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to assault causing grievous bodily harm without intent on May 12, 2019. He was jailed for 16 months and two weeks at Plymouth Crown Court last month.
PlymouthLive has been given stills from the in-store CCTV after an allegation of cruelty towards the gull was dropped. Prosecutors this month abandoned a charge of attempting to injure the bird after Elcombe was jailed.
Elcombe told the judge through his barrister that he was on his way home from drinking when he fell into step with the stranger and they began chatting. The court heard that Elcombe saw the seagull lying injured in Mutley Plain and he picked it up to move it to safety at about 5am.
Defence barrister Ali Rafati said that the bird’s docile manner in the footage showed that it may have been clipped by a car and stunned. It does not appear to struggle nor flap its wings while being carried about the store.
Mr Rafati said that Elcombe’s intention was to settle the gull down safely on a low roof but he changed his mind and decided to show it off in the shop. Footage shows he cupped the creature in two hands to present it to customers.
The defendant left with the bird and walked into nearby Lisson Grove where he launched it at the man, who fell to the ground. Elcombe then launched a series of punches and kicks to his head.
The victim is seen staggering into a nearby lane where a witness from nearby Goodbody’s cafe saw Elcombe hit him with a belt. Elcombe failed to answer bail by attending his trial in June last year. The judge added an additional two weeks for that offence.
The case has been listed for trial four times in total, with two of the hearings being cancelled for coronavirus. Elcombe was to tell the court eventually that he launched the attack after the stranger insulted his mother.
Don't miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond - Sign up to our daily newsletter here.
