Scott Bispham (18), of Mayfield Street, appeared at Mansfield Magistrates' Court on Thursday after admitting two charges of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal, a firearm offence and another charge of destroying property.

The court was told police were called to Mayfield Street on 24th March after a resident reported that ducks in his garden had been shot.

When officers arrived at the property, they found one dead duck and two others that had been shot. The owner of the property said he was looking after the ducks for a friend.

He said he had seen Bispham walking on a neighbour's garden with what looked like a pellet rifle.

A post mortem examination revealed the dead duck had died from a single gun shot wound to the head. The other two injured ducks were taken to the RSPCA where they were treated for their wounds.

Bispham initially denied the charges in interview but later made full admissions saying he shot the ducks because he was 'bored'.

Magistrates ordered Bispham to complete a two-year supervision order with 60 hours unpaid work. He was also banned from keeping animals for 10 years and ordered to pay £408 compensation to the RSPCA.