Antique store owner from Spalding area who sold endangered taxidermy animals avoids jail
Items such as a taxidermy pine marten and an ivory lion figure were among items found and seized by officers
An antique store owner from the Spalding area who sold endangered taxidermy animals and illegal ivory goods has avoided jail.
The items were found and seized from Pendragon Antiques, in Spalding’s Red Lion Street, when officers from Lincolnshire Police's Rural Crime Action Team visited last year.
71-year-old Justin Grimshaw admitted 12 offences and was handed four months in prison suspended for a year.
Items such as a taxidermy pine marten and an ivory lion figure were among items found and seized by officers
Grimshaw was charged with 12 offences contrary to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, the Control of Trade in Endangered Species Regulation 2018 and the Ivory Act 2018.
Grimshaw, of Spalding Road, Pinchbeck, pleaded guilty to all offences when appearing at Boston Magistrates' Court on Wednesday (21st May). Grimshaw was spared an immediate custodial sentence due to his age and health issues. He was fined £500 and was ordered to pay costs and surcharge of £239.
DC Aaron Flint, the Force Wildlife Crime Officer, said:
“The illegal and unregulated trade in endangered species in the UK has a devastating impact on wildlife populations around the world. Iconic species continue to be illegally killed every day, making it vital that those fuelling this appalling trade are held accountable.
"I hope this message underscores the gravity of these crimes and serves as a strong deterrent to anyone considering involvement in such unlawful activity. Lincolnshire police take this type of offending very seriously and anyone found committing this type of crime will be dealt with robustly.”
Having been tipped off that illegal items were on sale officers visited Pendragon Antiques, in the town’s Red Lion Street, in May 2024. They found offered for sale a taxidermy pine marten (Martes Martes), a barn owl (Tyto Alba), a kestrel on a branch (Falco Tinnunculus), a kestrel in a case (Tyto Tinnunculus), a sawfish (Pristidae) rostrum, an ivory picture frame, an ivory sphinx/lion figure and an ivory and silver presentation trowel.
Officers again visited Pendragon Antiques and the home address of Grimshaw when they executed a search warrant in August 2024. They were looking for an item that had been seen on body worn video footage in a glass display cabinet. The item, a tiger tooth (Panthera Tigris) was found and seized.
Further research revealed three sawfish Rostrums on sale online between June 2019 and January 2024.
Grimshaw was interviewed under caution by officers in March 2025; in his account he indicated he did not realise he could not sell the items and did not realise they were subjected to the various pieces of legislation.