Hartlepool ‘Bird Man’ Due In Court Over Alleged Breach Of Feeding Ban...
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Court Date Set After Hartlepool Pensioner Allegedly Caught Feeding Birds Again
15th May 2026
A Hartlepool man previously fined for feeding wild animals is due to appear back at Teesside Magistrates Court again later this month accused of breaching a Criminal Behaviour Order where he's been warned he could face a possible Prison sentence.
Brian Wilkins, known locally as the “Bird Man of Hartlepool”, is expected to appear before Teesside Magistrates’ court on the 25th May 2026, after it's alleged he was again caught feeding birds in and around Hartlepool back in February 2026.
The case follows earlier court proceedings in which Mr Wilkins was found to have failed to comply with a Community Protection Notice issued by Hartlepool Borough Council. That notice prohibited Wilkins from leaving food out for wild animals following complaints that his bird feeding was attracting vermin in parts of the town. Mr Wilkins was fined £250 and ordered to pay the council's legal costs of £1,826, with the court also imposing a Criminal Behaviour Order. His Court costs were later paid for via a Crowdfunding Campaign launched online.
The earlier case attracted significant public attention even as far as the United States after it emerged Wilkins would regularly buy large amounts of bread, seed and cat food to feed birds and other wildlife around Hartlepool. His daughter previously said he'd been motivated by concern for animals and disputed suggestions that he was responsible for wider rat problems in the town. However, the council’s position in the earlier proceedings was that the repeated leaving of food in public areas had caused persistent problems, including complaints from local businesses and concerns about the increase in vermin. The court previously heard claims that “excessive amounts” of bird seed and food had been left around parts of Hartlepool which in the vats majority of cases was never eaten by those Mr Wilkins claimed he was feeding.
Wilkins is now alleged to have breached his Criminal Behaviour Order earlier this year after its claimed he was caught again feeding birds and other wild animals. The Teesside & Durham Post Understands the matter is due to be considered by the court on 25 May 2026 where Wilkins could potentially face an even larger fine, or a Custodial Sentence.
The case is likely to reignite debate locally over the balance between animal welfare, public health concerns, council enforcement powers as well as whether its proportionate to pursue criminal proceedings against a pensioner merely feeding wild birds.
