Charges brought against two men for disturbing badger setts near Newark
Pair are accused of interfering with protected wildlife habitats
Two men have been charged following an investigation into the disturbance of active badger setts near Newark.
The incident was reported on 30th November 2025 when officers discovered that seven of the eight entrances to a badger sett in Rolleston woodland were blocked.
Steven Reynolds, a 37-year-old from Wirksworth, Derbyshire, and Jacob Whalley, a 33-year-old from Retford, are now charged with four counts of interfering with badger setts.
Both men appeared at Nottingham Magistrates' Court on 21st May and have been released on bail, with a subsequent court appearance scheduled for 26th November 2026.
PC Gareth Nicholls, from the Newark neighbourhood policing team, emphasised the importance of addressing wildlife crime to preserve natural habitats.
“Tackling wildlife crime helps preserve the countryside for future generations and ensures protected species can thrive," Nicholls said.
"Badgers and their setts are protected by the Protection of Badgers Act, making it a criminal offence to damage or obstruct them."
Nicholls further highlighted the collaborative efforts with landowners and partners to investigate wildlife harm thoroughly and bring those responsible to justice.