John Dodsworth, of South Shields, had an interest in taxidermy and birds eggs which "bordered on obsession", Newcastle Crown Court heard.

In a raid on the 49-year-old's home in Rodin Avenue, Whiteleas, two years ago, police found two long-eared owls, two barn owls, and a Montagu's harrier, all stuffed and mounted.

The birds all came under the highest level of protection for birds under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.

Two honey buzzard eggs, two Golden Eagle eggs, and four Egyptian Vulture eggs, were also discovered. The eggs come under similar strict provisions.

A dead swan, a stoat and a seagull were also found in a chest freezer, the court heard.

At the start of the trial yesterday, Tom Moran, prosecuting, told the jury: "Mr Dodsworth has a very keen interest, bordering on obsession, with wildlife and wild birds.

"These animals dominated his house, peering out at him wherever he went."

He added: "But this hobby must operate within the law so that our wildlife isn't ruined for the majority."

In a raid on Dodsworth's address on October 10 2006, the court heard that most of the space in his home was used to display his collection of birds and other wildlife.

Elsie Ashworth, assistant investigations officer for the RSPB, told the court: "Every room I went into contained some form of wildlife. There was a mounted bird on display on a bedside table, a Red Squirrel on the kitchen wall, and other animals hung up on the walls of the stairs."

Derek Moss, the former wildlife crime officer for South Tyneside Area Command, said: "We searched a chest freezer in his rear garden and found a stoat, seagull, Jay, and a swan. Presumably these were ready to be stuffed and mounted."

Dodsworth claims he bought a cabinet for £600 and had the birds eggs thrown in for free.

But Mr Moran said: "It is the prosecution's case that the reverse is true. If it were the case, then he's paid well over the odds for a cabinet, which is worth a fraction of £600.

"The prosecution says this was a ruse struck upon by Mr Dodsworth and the seller to the prohibition of buying birds eggs."

Dodsworth also claims he was given the owls by a man who'd sold him some asbestos equipment as a gift, and offered the birds for free.

But Mr Moran said: "We say this is also a ruse."
Mr Dodsworth denies three counts of purchasing protected specimens.

The trial continues.