THE owner of a Crowthorne bird sanctuary has been found guilty of a string of wildlife crime and drugs offences.

Stephen Burns, 58, of Sandhurst Road, Crowthorne has been convicted at Reading Magistrates' Court today following a three-day trial.

On May 6 last year, a cannabis factory was discovered on site and 180 birds were seized under a warrant by Thames Valley Police and neighbourhood officers.

Some birds were in such a poor state from untreated injuries including open fractures to legs and wings that they had to be humanely destroyed on site by a vet.

After a lengthy investigation, Burns was reported for multiple offences under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

He was found guilty today of 25 offences of keeping a bird in unsuitable housing, contrary to Section 8 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act and 17 offences of failing to protect an animal from pain, suffering, injury or disease contrary to Section 9 of the Animal Welfare Act.

Burns was given a six month sentence, suspended for 18 months, and ordered to undertake 60 hours of unpaid work and to pay £1080 costs.

He was also issued with a Prohibition Order, preventing him from taking in any new birds at Raven Haven for a period of 12 months.

Burns was also arrested during the warrant last year after 70 cannabis plants were found being grown in a bedroom, along with 9kg of dried cannabis ready for sale.

He received an 18-month prison sentence, suspended for two years, at Reading Crown Court on June 3, after pleading guilty to cultivating cannabis and possessing cannabis with intent to supply.

PC Ian Whitlock, a wildlife crime officer who led the investigation, said: "I am pleased with the outcome of this investigation. This case highlights the need for legislation to regulate these privately run animal rescues centres.

"I hope that this will send a clear message to owners of other rescue centres that they need to ensure that they comply with their legal obligations under the Wildlife and Countryside Act and the Animal Welfare Act."