A golden eagle called Ben has been reunited with his owner after four years in the possession of a bird smuggler.

Raymond Humphrey borrowed the rare bird of prey for breeding from pet shop owner David Holmes, from Barnsley, South Yorkshire, but it was never returned.

Following unsuccessful attempts to reclaim the 30-year-old bird, police raided Humphrey's Norfolk home and confiscated Ben.

For the last year he has been cared for by the Raptor Foundation in St Ives, Cambridgeshire, but could not be returned to his owner until the outcome of the court case.

Denied charges

Humphrey, 52, was jailed for six and a half years on 18 January for smuggling endangered birds into the UK.

John Procktor, spokesman for the Raptor Foundation said: "Until now we have had to keep him away from the sight of visitors and have not been able to show off that we have a golden eagle.

"It's been crucifying for us."

Ben was handed over to Mr Holmes at the foundation on Friday.

He said Humphrey did not breed from the bird, worth £7,500, and had told Mr Holmes Ben had died.

Humphrey, who denied the charges at court last week, was caught smuggling 23 endangered birds at Heathrow Airport.

He was found guilty of smuggling, keeping and trading species of animal.

They were tied up in plastic tubes and stuffed into suitcases - the birds were distressed and six had died.