Garage boss paid ransom for return of prized parrot

Javed Akhtar eventually paid a £250 ransom for the return of Rocky the Amazon parrot.

Blackburn magistrates heard Terence Paul Johnston who was responsible for stealing Rocky claimed he had felt guilty and had arranged for the bird to be returned.

But Mr Akhtar said, after the hearing, he had been approached by a man who claimed he had paid Johnston £200 for the bird.

"I paid him £250 because I just wanted my pet back," said Mr Akhtar. "He is part of the family and we were all really upset."

Mr Akhtar, the proprietor of JK Auto Hybrids, Lower Hollin Bank Street, Blackburn, said he and staff were working when Rocky was stolen from an upstairs office.

When they checked CCTV it showed Johnston go up to the office and emerge later with something in a carrier bag.

Stephanie Varle, prosecuting, said in court that as Johnston was leaving there was a single "squawk."

There were other parrots in the office and Johnston returned the following night and broke in through a wall before stealing £1,500 worth of diagnostic computers, tools and a cheque book.

"I think he came back for the other birds but couldn't get up to them so stole other property," said Mr Akhtar. "My main concern was always Rocky. I was on social media and contacting all the parrot owners I know to alert them to the theft. Two days later I was contacted by the man who had my parrot and told him if he brought it back I would give him £250."

Johnston, 46, of Fawcett Close, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to theft of a parrot worth £1,800 and theft of computer equipment, tools and a cheque book worth £1,500. He was remanded on bail for the preparation of a pre-sentence report.

Ian Huggan, defending said his client had no knowledge of any money being paid.

"He organised the return of the parrot," said Mr Huggan. "He had it at home and was initially going to keep it but he started to feel guilty. He says he got a friend to contact the garage and arrange the return of the bird."