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London's first “crow cafe” has become involved in a row after it was revealed one of its bird handlers was convicted of animal welfare offences.

The pop-up cafe - set up by Charlie Gilmour, son of Pink Floyd guitarist David – saw hundreds of visitors, including actress Billie Piper, in Tower Hamlets last Sunday when it opened for one day only.

However it has now faced criticism after it emerged a handler who brought along three birds to show people had been found guilty of multiple animal welfare offences.

Stephen Burns, 59, was convicted after around 180 birds were found in cramped conditions at the rescue centre Raven Haven he ran from his home in Crowthorne, near Sandhurst.

Some had broken legs and wings and were in such a bad state they had to be destroyed by vets.

Mr Gilmour has said he knew of Burns’ conviction but added “everyone deserves a second chance.”

The bird sanctuary was raided by Thames Valley Police in May 2015 in a joint operation with the RSPCA, local vets and DEFRA.

Burns was given a six month sentence suspended for 18 months at Reading Magistrates’ Court last July for 42 counts of animal related crime.

He was also ordered to carry out 60 hours of unpaid work and banned from taking in any new birds at Raven Haven for 12 months.

Burns is not thought to be breaking any law for his appearance at the crow cafe as the ban did not extend to his existing collection of birds.

Mr Gilmour wrote in the Standard last week that the cafe was to educate the public on the corvid birds such as rooks, ravens and crows.

Some visitors reacted angrily on social media to Burns’ involvement.

One attendee said his involvement was a “disgrace” due to his conviction.

She said: “I personally am ashamed of having attended now and feel I have been tricked into something I would not support.”

Another visitor tweeted: “Why was Stephen Burns part of Crow Cafe. He has a conviction for cruelty against birds.”

A spokeswoman for the RSPCA said the charity had welfare concerns about the “growing trend” of wildlife and animal-themed cafes in the capital.

She said: “A busy, noisy and bright cafe would be a stressful environment for these birds.

“We are concerned about the welfare of animals in entertainment, which is a largely unregulated area.”

In a statement online, Mr Gilmour said he initially planned to donate the proceeds from the crow cafe to Raven Haven until the conviction came to light.

Instead the £1,500 raised from 240 visitors will go to the Folly Wildlife Rescue charity in Tunbridge Wells.

Mr Gilmour said: “Like everyone here, I was deeply shocked when I read Raven Haven’s press.

“I also very strongly believe that once people have been punished by a court - as Steve was - that should be it.

“It’s not fair to continue to punish people for something they have already paid for. “Everyone deserves a second chance.”

Burns told the Standard: “I don’t really want to say anything at the moment but Charlie Gilmour knows me and knows what I’m about.

“I’m just trying to have some quiet time at the moment.

“The crow café was all for the benefit of the crows, that’s why I got involved. It was to raise awareness of what an underrated bird they are.”