Harry Sissen was found guilty of smuggling in 2000

Customs investigators said that parrot breeder Henry Sissen was a convicted professional trafficker in endangered species.

Officers are appealing at Teeside Crown Court against a court decision to return 100 parrots to him after he served an 18 month jail sentence.

Sissen of East Cowton, Northallerton was found guilty in 2000 of breaching rules on importing three rare Lears macaws from Latvia and six blueheaded macaws from Slovakia.

Drilled holes

The court heard Sissen had a history of smuggling endangered species.

He was arrested at Dover with four parrots hidden inside his coat and another 18 in concealed compartments in his car.

In another incident he was caught with 38 parrots hidden in holes drilled into the chassis of his van.

Paperwork found at his form linked him to smugglers in Brazil, Slovakia and the USA.

The case continues.