A PARROT breeder's five-year legal battle with Customs and Excise continued in court yesterday.

Harry Sissen, 66, appeared before magistrates in Northallerton, North Yorkshire, for failing to pay part of a £150,000 court order made after he was convicted of smuggling rare macaws in 2000.

Mr Sissen, of Cornhill Farm, East Cowton, near Northallerton, was released from jail in January after nearly four months of a 21-month sentence when he paid £50,000 towards the order.

A barrister for Customs and Excise yesterday told Sissen he still had to pay £100,000 to the agency, and interest of about £30,000.

During the hearing, Sissen repeatedly declared his innocence and told the court that he had no money.

He said: "People have hung themselves for less stress than I have suffered.

"I promised my birds I would fight these people until I die, and I will."

The court ordered him to produce documents explaining the ownership of five farms belonging to his family.

He said the land was owned by himself and two members of his family who were unwilling to sell the land.

He spent eight months in jail after the original conviction in 2000.

In April 2003, Newcastle Crown Court ordered 140 of his birds to be seized by Customs and Excise officers.

Since then, more than 60 of the birds have died.

The case was adjourned to April 21.