Archie Watson, 21, of Dragon Lane, Manningford Bruce, Pewsey, has pleaded guilty to possessing dead birds – three red kites, five buzzards, and a herring or black-backed gull – in contravention of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
He denied killing the birds, which were discovered in a well after a warrant was served at the farm where he worked as a gamekeeper.
He also admitted failing to comply with the condition of his firearms certificate, in relation to the proper storage of shotguns and ammunition, when he appeared before Swindon Magistrates’ Court today, 1 June 2022.
Watson was sentenced to 180 hours of unpaid community service and ordered to pay £393 in costs and a £95 surcharge.
The court heard how, in August 2020, the RSPB reported suspected persecution of wild birds at a farm in the Avebury area to Wiltshire Police.
This prompted a police Rural Crime Team investigation into a gamekeeper employed there, and he was arrested in September 2020.
Two warrants were executed in collaboration with a number of other organisations, including the RSPB, Natural England, Hampshire Police, and the National Wildlife Crime Unit.
“The court result today is positive and encouraging in the fight against bird crime in the UK,” said PC Marc Jackson. It clearly shows that Wiltshire Police will take firm action against anyone who attempts to break the law by persecuting wild birds.
We would like to thank the RSPB, Natural England, Hampshire Police, and the National Wildlife Crime Unit, as well as other individuals and organisations such as the National History Museum, for their assistance during this investigation.
It is certainly unusual for so many birds of prey to be discovered dead in such a small area, and Wiltshire Police will continue to work with partners to raise awareness and bring those suspected of committing such crimes within Wiltshire and Swindon before the courts.
“The shocking discovery of this raptor tomb is a reminder of the horrors of raptor persecution,” said Mark Thomas, RSPB Head of Investigations.
“While it is unknown who was involved or where these birds were killed, we believe they were most likely killed illegally.”
“Raptor persecution is at an all-time high and is overwhelmingly associated with gamebird shooting land.”
“The public plays an important role in assisting us in identifying raptor persecution, so if you have information, please contact us online or by calling 101 to help put an end to this appalling practise.”
