A WHITEHILL man who pleaded guilty to attending a cockfight, organised by his uncle, that took place near Chichester a year ago, was fined on Tuesday. James Stephen Keet, 29, from Whitehill was one of nine men from Hampshire and Sussex who were fined £400 for attending the cockfight at Southgate Duck Nursery near Chichester in April 2004. On Tuesday, the 54-year-old uncle of James Keet who organised the cockfight was sent to prison - over 150 years after the barbaric sport was banned. Joseph Keet, from North Mundham, Chichester, was described by magistrates as 'the main player' and was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering, aiding and abetting, being present at a cockfight and of using his premises for a cockfight. Magistrate Paul Tain sentenced Joseph Keet to 90 days imprisonment for each offence, to run concurrently. In sentencing he said: "You showed barbaric behaviour pitting one animal against another for the sole purpose of enjoying cruelty. I am totally convinced that a prison sentence is the only option for this level of cruelty." Joseph Keet was also fined £5,000 and given a life ban from keeping cockerels. The RSPCA's special operations unit, together with uniformed inspectors and Sussex Police raided Southgate Duck Nursery at North Mundham following a tip-off. On arrival they discovered a cockfight taking place. A number of men tried to flee the scene but were arrested at the site. One man was arrested at a later date. An empty video camera was found near the fighting pit and a tape was later recovered. The tape contained footage of two cockfighting bouts and formed part of the evidence in the prosecution. Fifteen cockerels were taken from the premises, one bird was already dead and several others showed new or recent injuries consistent with fighting. The injuries were to the face and comb, as well as swollen eyelids, feather loss and wounds, some of which were still bleeding. Chief Inspector, Mike Butcher, from the RSPCA's special operations unit said: "It seems incredible to think that this activity is still happening, despite the fact that it was banned more than 150 years ago. Cockfighting is a brutal, barbaric and bloody 'sport' that should have been confined to the history books. Sadly there still seem to be groups who ignore the law and take pleasure in the thought of pitting one bird against another to the death. "The suffering endured is immense and we are pleased that the magistrates recognised the seriousness of the case and gave appropriate sentences and fines. "We would also like to extend our thanks to Sussex police for their co-operation throughout. This sends a clear message to others that this activity will not be tolerated in the 21st century."