Owner of Pirates of Caribbean parrot jailed

The yellow and blue macaw starred in the 2003 film Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl
Photo: IMAGES INTERNATIONAL

The owner of a celebrity parrot which starred in Pirates of the Caribbean has been jailed after being caught driving with her pet bird on her shoulder.

Published: 8:21AM GMT 09 Mar 2010

Ludmila Sweeney was pulled over and arrested at the Port of Dover in September last year after officers spotted her driving around with the giant macaw, called Chip, perched on her arm.

But as she was questioned about her 14th driving conviction, her pet attacked a policeman who was trying to move her car.

The protective bird, which was loose inside the vehicle, bit and scratched PC Martin Dadd as he tried to steer the car to a pound, tearing 'chunks out of him', according to witnesses.

The yellow and blue macaw starred in the 2003 film Pirates of the Caribbean: Curse of the Black Pearl with Johnny Depp and Keira Knightley as the mouthpiece of mute Pirate Cotton, played by David Bailie.

But although Chip is free, his owner was jailed as Ashford Magistrates Court last month, it was revealed today.

Sweeney, 58, of Berkshire, pleaded guilty to driving whilst disqualified and was jailed for five months and disqualified from driving for six years.

Speaking at the time, witness Greig Stephenson said: "The bird wouldn't stop going for the poor guy. It was flying around taking chunks out of him as he drove.

"The copper looked terrified and was covered in scratches. He did not look happy at all."

A police spokesman said: "The woman who was arrested last year for driving whilst disqualified with a macaw parrot (the very same parrot that starred in the movie Pirates of the Caribbean) sat on her shoulder pleaded guilty at Ashford Magistrates Court and was sentenced to 150 days imprisonment and disqualified for driving for six years."

Chief Supt Steve Masters, who confirmed that a relative was looking after the celebrity parrot while Sweeney was in jail, said: "It is fair to say that the officer got a bit of a pecking and had a few scratches and bites."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/howaboutthat/7404988/Owner-of-Pirates-of-Caribbean-parrot-jailed.html