A man has been spared jail after being found guilty of organising cockfights at his home.

Wayne Dean, 52, of Donegall Avenue, Chichester, was found guilty of four offences in March last year – including keeping premises for use in connection with an animal fight, training the birds in connection with an animal fight, causing an animal fight and causing unnecessary suffering for not seeking veterinary attention for obvious wounds.

RSPCA officers found 27 dead and injured cockerels with injuries to their faces and legs, together with scratches and missing feathers, which a vet said were consistent with cockfighting.

Inspectors also found equipment consistent with cockfighting, including a fighting ring made with straw bales, with blood on the sides of the ring, and muffs, or spurs, which are usually attached to the legs of the birds; and a mini DIY first aid kit.

Dean appeared at Crawley Magistrates’ Court today (Thursday) for sentencing. He was banned from owning birds and given a two-year suspended prison sentence, made to pay £250 costs and £80 victim surcharge.

RSPCA inspector Andrew Kirby said: “We are very pleased with today's sentencing.

“Cock fighting was banned in 1835, and yet in 2015, people are still involved in this abhorrent activity. The birds bred and used for fighting are caused terrible suffering, often sustaining multiple injuries to head and body. Many of the birds used are killed.

“The court’s verdict earlier this month and the sentencing today show how serious the courts take such matters. The RSPCA will continue to investigate complaints of organised animal fighting and cruelty.

“Luckily the three cockerels are now in RSPCA care and have made a good recovery, but their story could have been very different.”