A 78-year-old grandfather is facing the possibility of prison after his local council took legal action over his persistent habit of feeding pigeons.
Brian Wilkins - known as the "Bird Man of Hartlepool" - has been prosecuted by Hartlepool Borough Council for allegedly breaching a Criminal Behaviour Order by scattering breadcrumbs for birds.
The council claims his feeding habit has attracted rats to the area, with complaints made by residents and businesses near Mr Wilkins's home in the County Durham town.
Its pest control services have also said his activities have undermined efforts to control rat populations in several locations, including near a primary school.
Appearing before magistrates at Teesside Magistrates' Court on Monday afternoon, Mr Wilkins denied two counts of breaching the order, which was imposed in April 2025, "without reasonable excuse, dropping breadcrumbs."
The 78-year-old confirmed he understood the allegations and elected to have his case heard by a jury rather than before the magistrates' bench.
His trial has been listed as a two-day hearing, due to begin on September 15 at Teesside Crown Court.
A conviction for breaching a Criminal Behaviour Order can carry a custodial sentence, although Mr Wilkins has made clear he intends to contest the council's case against him.
Speaking outside court after the hearing, Mr Wilkins said: "I asked to be tried by a jury of my peers because I think that's the right way to go."
He expressed gratitude for the support he has received locally, adding: "I am humbled by the amount of support I've had from Hartlepudlian people who can see no harm in what I am doing, which is to prevent creatures from starving to death."
The 78-year-old said: "I am denying the charge because it is against English law to allow the suffering of birds and animals and I'm simply trying to ensure they don't starve."
He added: "It's for the council to control the rat population, I'm afraid that is incumbent on them, not me," he said.
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Mr Wilkins's troubles with the authorities stretch back several years.
He was first served with a Community Protection Notice in 2023, which he openly admits to disregarding as he continued feeding the birds.
Last year, he was fined £250 and ordered to pay £1,826.73 in costs and a £100 surcharge, alongside the imposition of the stricter Criminal Behaviour Order.
Despite the escalating legal consequences, the grandfather has maintained his daily routine of buying 30 loaves of bread to distribute among local wildlife, including pigeons and seagulls.
The borough council has repeatedly warned him that scattering food on the ground was attracting rats to the area.
The authority claimed the 78-year-old's actions have had "a detrimental effect on the quality of life of residents".
A Hartlepool Borough Council spokesman said: "Although legal action is very much a last resort, his failure to co-operate has left us with no other option.
"We have a duty to safeguard public health in the wider community and Mr Wilkins' continued actions have led to numerous recurring complaints about rats from businesses and individual residents."
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