TWO men who killed a mute swan have been given community orders after they were brought to justice by a father and son who confronted them as they fled the scene of the crime.

David James Salmon, 32, and Neil David Carr, 26, were spotted running away from Watergate Lake, in Murton, east Durham, with the bird which had been shot in the neck.

When confronted they said they had thought it was a wild goose. But Peterlee magistrates were told that even if it had been, that too would have been breaking the law.

Salmon of Toft Crescent, Murton and Carr of Webb Avenue, Murton, both pleaded guilty at a previous hearing to killing a wild bird on February 22.

Denise Jackman, prosecuting for the RSPCA, said a factory worker saw two men running away from the lake carrying something white. When he realised it was a swan he set off in pursuit with his son.

They confronted the two men, who had air weapon, but there was no sign of the swan. It was later recovered from nearby bushes.

A vet estimated the swan to be about ten-months old and in good health apart, from a severe wound to its neck and head.

Miss Jackman said: “Both say that, when they realised it was a swan, they felt terrible about what they had done and when they saw it they put in extra pellets to alleviate its suffering.”

When questioned by the RSPCA, Salmon admitted he had shot the animal. Both he and Carr said they were very sorry and had made a "genuine mistake".

Each were given a community order with 100 hours unpaid work, as well as 25 days of activities. They were also each ordered to pay £100 towards court costs and £50 towards the vet’s fees, along with a £60 victim surcharge.