A man from Kenley has been given a suspended sentence after killing a deer in Croydon.

Mian Zeeshan Shahid, 32 (5.7.83) of Wattendon Road, Kenley was sentenced at Croydon Magistrates' Court on Monday 7 September.

Shahid was sentenced to four months for causing a deer unnecessary suffering and three months for taking a deer - both to run concurrently and suspended for two years. He was also ordered to complete 200 hours of unpaid work.

On 23 December 2014, Shahid took a deer from a field in Mitchley Avenue, South Croydon. He transported it alive and injured to his address in Kenley. Once at home, he killed it by cutting its throat.

A member of the public called police to report that she had witnessed a man taking away an injured deer in a vehicle.

On the same day, Shahid posted an update on a Facebook group called 'Deer Stalkers International'.

He boasted how he had killed a deer and "made a good meal for ten". Users of the group forwarded Shahid's post to police.

Officers from the Met Police Wildlife Crime Unit executed a warrant on Wednesday 18 February 2015. He was charged on 26 June with one count of taking / injuring / killing a deer under the Deer Act 1991 and a second offence of causing unnecessary suffering under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.

An order of forfeiture was given in relation to the air weapons and hunting gear seized at Shahid's address.

He pleaded guilty to both counts on Friday 28 August.

Police Constable Ian Reeve, Croydon Wildlife Crime officer said: "Shahid caused the deer he caught a prolonged, painful and unnecessary death. Ultimately, his boasting on the Internet and reports from eagle-eyed members of the public helped us to catch him and bring him before a court."

Alyx Elliott, Head of Campaigns for World Animal Protection UK said, "World Animal Protection applaud the work of Croydon Wildlife Crime Unit in securing a successful conviction for this case. Not only does it illustrate the diversity of urban wildlife crime, it also shows the shocking cruelty involved in the illegal poaching of wild animals.

"We hope that the conviction will act as a deterrent to those that might carry out this sort of wildlife crime. The public play an essential role in bringing wildlife criminals to justice and we urge others to always report anything suspicious to the police."