Parrot's bite helps shop burglar

Frome magistrates heard how detectives traced Tristan Maidment, 23, of Greenhills in Edington, Wiltshire, from DNA recovered from the shop in Frome.

The court heard how the bird was taken to Maidment's home and kept in a "very cramped" cage in his bedroom, "squawking as if distressed".

Magistrates adjourned sentence until 3 August and remanded him in custody.

In his police interview Maidment said he could not remember being bitten by the bird but admitted drinking before the break-in.

Maidment said his accomplice must have taken the bird to his house and he believed the bird was later sold in Bristol.

'Warning signs'

He admitted burglary and animal cruelty offences, and also pleaded guilty to theft from a Homebase store in Portishead and failing to surrender to bail.

Angus Hart, 45, who had owned Micky the macaw for the past 10 years, had put up signs in the shop warning the bird may bite.

He said the bird was a popular attraction in the town.

Mr Hart and his wife Jayne, 47, were given Micky - thought to be aged about 50 - by a friend.