Man from West Ashby sentenced for possessing dangerous chemicals and bird traps
Investigators found the dead birds – a red kite and two buzzards – just north of West Ashby
A farmer and game keeper from the Horncastle area who used illegal traps and stored dangerous chemicals has been sentenced.
Officers found the items following an investigation into the deaths of three birds of prey.
40-year-old John Bryant from West Ashby pleaded guilty to two charges and was found guilty of two more under the Wildlife and Countryside Act and Healthy and Safety Regulations at Lincoln Magistrates Court - he's now got to pay a fine and costs totalling over six thousand pounds.
Investigators found the dead birds – a red kite and two buzzards – just north of West Ashby; forensic analysis determined they had been poisoned.
The findings led officers to execute a warrant and search Bryant’s land on 4th October 2022 where items were found which suggested he was targeting birds of prey using poison and traps.
A chemical identified as Alphachloralose – typically used to kill rodents and which is also one of the most common substances known to poison birds of prey – was discovered in a vehicle being used by Bryant with a second tub containing the same product later being found in his garage.
The chemical was highly concentrated with levels found to be over 80% meaning it is a banned and highly dangerous substance.
Illegal traps were also found in the search.
Two pole traps, which are specifically used to kill birds of prey, were recovered at the property at two pheasant release pens and found to contain tawny owl and pigeon DNA.
Bryant pleaded guilty to two charges of storing Alpha Chloralose at his home and was found guilty of two charges of possessing a spring trap tethered to a pole. These relate to contravening Health and Safety Regulations and the Wildlife Countryside Act.
He was found not guilty of a further two counts of possessing Alpha Chloralose; two counts of using a spring trap tethered to a pole; and two counts of possessing gin traps.
Bryant was sentenced today and must pay fines of £2112, he must pay costs of £4492 and a victim surcharge of £845.
Due to his conviction, Bryant can no longer use a General Licence to carry out vermin control.
DC Aaron Flint, Force Wildlife Crime Officer, Rural Crime Action Team, said:
“Unfortunately, this case is just one of many birds of prey poisonings reported in Lincolnshire in recent years.
“However, the outcome demonstrates that we and other agencies will take raptor persecution very seriously.
“We thoroughly investigate any reports that relate to criminal activity around birds of prey.
“Our message to anyone who unlawfully harms or kills our iconic wildlife is this; If you commit crimes against wildlife in Lincolnshire, we will identify you and you will be put before the courts where the evidence allows.
“This investigation was made possible through close collaboration with multiple agencies, and I want to express my gratitude to the National Wildlife Crime Unit, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Natural England, and the Wildlife DNA Forensic unit at SASA for their invaluable support.
“The Forensic Analysis Fund also played a vital role in advancing this investigation and the Wildlife Specialist at the Crown Prosecution Service.”
Chief Inspector Kevin Lacks-Kelly, Head of the UK National Wildlife Crime Unit said: "Thanks to the work of police and partners we have seen justice delivered.
"This conviction sends a strong message that bird of prey crime will not be tolerated, and you will feel the full force of the national policing capability.
"These offences are not only cruel, they undermine the conservation of our vulnerable wildlife. These birds should be free for us all to enjoy, not consigned to police evidence bags."