Two Devon men convicted of stealing birds' eggs
Two men have been convicted of stealing birds' eggs and connected offences under the Wildlife and Countryside Act following their appearance at Newton Abbot Magistrates Court on Tuesday 6th November.
Marcus Betteridge, aged 52 years from Jubilee Road in Totnes, was fined £1,000 after he pleaded guilty to the disturbance of dartford warblers. Seymour Crang, aged 49 years from Bittaford near Ivybridge, was fined £1,000 after pleading guilty to unlawful possession of wild birds' eggs. Both men were ordered to pay £200 costs. The convictions follow a two-year operation between the Police, RSPB and the National Wildlife Crime Unit under an operation codenamed Blackwell. Joint intelligence gathering and partnership working culminated in the execution of search warrants in November 2010 at the home addresses of both Betteridge and Crang, when property relating to the charges was seized, including wild birds' eggs, collecting equipment, photographs and diaries relating to activities at nest sites of wild birds. Following further investigation by the three agencies, sufficient evidence was gathered to interview and subsequently charge both men. The officer in case, Police Constable Josh Marshall, a Wildlife Crime officer commented after the hearing, “This prosecution and sentencing today highlights the benefits of joint partnership working in tackling wildlife crime and the determination to bring offenders to justice. “This should send a clear message to persons engaged in such criminal activity that they will be identified and brought to justice”.In 2011, the RSPB received the following reports:
- 202 reports of shooting and destruction of birds of prey
- 100 reports of poisoning and the use of poisoned baits
- 30 egg collecting incidents. There were three confirmed and six probable nest robberies of eggs and chicks of Schedule 1 species
- 26 reports of illegal taking, possession or sale of birds of prey
- 69 reports of illegal taking, possession or sale of wild birds other than birds of prey, predominantly finches.
