A poacher has been arrested in Elche after he shot a dozen birds and now faces a fine of up to €3,000.

Police on patrol spotted a man in Calle Las Canteras, and following a search of his vehicle, they found a rifle and a cage, with 12 dead thrushes.

The arrested man, who told police he had shot the birds for food, faces a fine of between €300 and €3,000 for not having a hunting licence, and  for carrying a weapon in an unsatisfactory manner.