An Uber driver who stole a much loved green wing Macaw, which was being free-flown in Richmond Park, and then left him for dead has been sentenced.

Abdul Sattar, aged 34, from Essex, attracted the bird, worth £3,000, into his car and made an unsuccessful attempt to grab his mate Kasko before making off.

Today, at Wimbledon Magistrates Court, he was give a four week prison sentence, which was suspended for 12 months, ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work and pay compensation of £2,000.

Aarya Mishra, for the Crown Prosecution Service, told the court how eye-witnesses saw Sattar attract Sura into his car, apparently using a peanut bar.

She said the trapped bird was seen in a clearly distressed state, 'squawking and biting the steering wheel'.

The theft triggered a massive hunt on social media and a 'Justice for Sura' campaign with people across Richmond and beyond involved in the hunt and included this video.

Such was the outcry that the panicking Sattar, who had no idea how to feed or look after the parrot, drove back across London with Sura in the boot of his Toyota Prius. He then dumped her by the side or the road where it is assumed she was attacked and killed by a fox.

A woman involved in the hunt, who knew the owner, Kareem Alipoor, subsequently found a number of bloodied feathers near Sheen Gate.

During police interviews, the thief made a bizarre claim that Sura deliberately chose to fly into his car – something rejected by the court.

Details of a personal statement from Sura's owner, Mr Alipoor, were read to the court and revealed how the theft had left him devastated.

In it, he said that he felt to blame for the theft and death of what he called his 'soul mate'.

He said "I am a changed person… I hate myself… the guilt is massive."

He said that he has since suffered severe depression, which meant he found it difficult to work and deal with people.

Passing sentence, Judge Peter Hayes, said: "From the witness evidence it would appear he – Sattar - was at least attempting to obtain the second bird. It makes it less believable the first bird randomly flew into his car."

Addressing the defendant, he said: "You stole a bird – Sura – from Mr Alipoor and it is clear from his personal statement that both of the birds meant a very great deal to him.

"You stated that Sura flew into your car and you thought the bird was unwell. Frankly I don't believe you."

He added: "I do accept that you did not take Sura because of her value. I suspect in reality you took the bird because you were interested in keeping the bird yourself.

"When you took Sura homes you struggled to feed the bird and your daughter made clear she was not happy you had taken it.

"You then took the bird back and released it into the open… It is highly likely Sura has died as a result of being released."

At the time of Sura's theft there was a massive outpouring of sympathy for the owner and anger from people who had often seen the owner free-flying the two parrots in Richmond Park.

Defence solicitor, David Rishter, said his client has consistently maintained the parrot chose to fly into his car and did not accept allegations that he had attempted to lure the second macaw.

He said Sattar had no knowledge of the bird and it was 'merely a case of curiosity'. But Mr Rishter said his client accepted that he had made 'a terrible mistake' and 'he is very sorry for what he did'.

The solicitor said that Sattar had returned the bird the following day, adding: "It appears it did not end well for the bird."