An Inverness man is facing jail after killing a duck with a stone.
Donald Dyker claimed he spotted the already-injured mallard being attacked by other birds and threw the missile to frighten away the assailants.
But his explanation for the duck ending up in his bag was not believed by a Sheriff – who also said he had a record that hinted at poaching.
Sentence was deferred on the 52-year-old, of Stratton Road, for a background report.
Dyker admitted culpably and recklessly killing the bird and then taking it away in his rucksack on January 8, last year in the River Ness by throwing a stone and striking it.
He also admitted previous convictions which caused Sheriff Margaret Neilson to comment: “He seems to have an issue with wildlife crime – possibly poaching, judging by his record.”
Dyker’s solicitor Clare Russell told the court: “He had taken some alcohol beforehand and saw what he believed to be an injured duck being attacked by other ducks. He made the foolish decision to throw a stone.”
Sheriff Neilson interrupted, asking: “So he thought that was a humane thing to do?”
Miss Russell replied: “He says it was an attempt to scare the other ducks away. But the stone hit the injured duck.”
Sheriff Neilson again interrupted: “So it was coincidental that he struck the duck, killed it and took it?”
Miss Russell answered: “He thought it was inappropriate to leave the dead duck in the river.”
Fiscal depute David Morton told the court that water bailiffs on patrol on the river saw Dyker acting suspiciously on the north bank of the river and kept watch.
“They observed him pick up a large stone and throw it into the river. It struck a mallard, it was stunned and killed. He then picked it up by the neck, put it in his backpack, and walked away with it.”
Sentence was deferred to July 25.
