Penza, 24 January 2013. PenzaNews. District court of Penza found a local resident guilty of stealing 12 pigeons worth a total of 9,100 rubles and sentenced him to two years of imprisonment in a penal colony and restriction of freedom after release for a period of one year.

As the press service of the court commented to news agency “PenzaNews,” the birds were stolen from 80-year-old man, who had bred rare pigeons for over half a century, acquiring them at exhibitions in Moscow, St. Petersburg and Pyatigorsk.

“The defendant came up with the crime plan when the owner of the pigeons showed him his collection,” the press service clarified.

The court added that the stolen pigeons were returned to the owner when the crime had been solved.

“When imposing a sentence, the court took into consideration the fact of recidivism in the actions of the man, who was released from prison in May 2011 where he spent 11,5 years for murder, robbery and theft,” the press service said emphasizing that the sentence has not come into force yet and may still be appealed.