A previously convicted gamekeeper has today admitted to poisoning four buzzards with Alpha-chloralose laced baits. At Lanark Sheriff Court, David Alexander Whitefield (45) of Coulter, near Biggar in Lanarkshire, pled guilty to the offences that took place between March and November 2009 at Culter Allers Farm, near Biggar, where Whitefield was employed as the sole gamekeeper for pheasant and partridge shooting. He has reportedly blamed his employer (the landowner), whom Whitefield claims told him to reduce the number of buzzards.
In addition to the four poisoned buzzards found on the shooting estate, a large quantity of Alpha-chloralose was found inside unlocked outbuildings, some of it inside a coffee jar – this extremely hazardous poison could have easily been mistaken for sugar or powdered milk by an unsuspecting visitor. Culter Allers is a popular area for walkers and it is fortunate indeed that no person or pet was poisoned. The buzzards were not so lucky.
This case has been in the works for some time, first reported a year ago and then delayed for legal technicalities (see here, here and here). Sentencing for his latest conviction has been deferred for background reports and will take place in early January. We will watch with great interest.
Whitefield’s previous convictions include failing to ensure the welfare of a buzzard and possession of a buzzard. These offences took place at Culter Allers and he was convicted at Lanark Sheriff Court in September 2008. He received a pathetic £300 fine (see here). Just six months later he was poisoning buzzards. At the time of the first conviction (Sept 2008), he was reported to be a self-confessed member of the Scottish Gamekeepers Association. It is not known if he was a member of the SGA at the time of the buzzard poisoning incidents (March-Nov 2009) or whether he is still a member – you can find out by emailing info@scottishgamekeepers.co.uk
Congratulations to the SSPCA for leading this case and for securing a conviction. Let’s hope the Scottish parliament takes heed next year when they’re consulting on extending the powers of the SSPCA for the investigation of wildlife crime.
STV news story about Whitefield’s latest conviction here
BBC news story here
Raptor Persecution UK 
I have written to the Scottish Gamekeepers Association, at the eMail address given above & they tell me that they are about to post something on this matter, on their website.
So watch this space … http://www.scottishgamekeepers.co.uk/
Strange how the SSPCA seem to have more success at obtaining convictions of wildlife persecuting criminals than our other wildlife protection agencies manage, maybe we should get them to handle all Raptor persecution incidents, hope Scottish Parliament agrees.
Perhaps it is worth spreading the word that anyone reporting a wildlife offence to the police also makes a point of informing the SSPCA.
Good idea and worth a try. Maybe the SSPCA don’t need to worry so much where their funds come from and can be more determined to pursue cases than other organizations.
This case must be seen as a test of how seriously the judiciary treats wildlife crime.
This is not someone of previously “good character” (not been caught yet) but someone who has a previous conviction for wildlife crime and has blatantly and knowingly flouted the law for a second time.
The full force of the law needs to be brought to bear in this case.
…..and as a member of the “professional institution” …he was well informed and trained on all of the issues surrounding illegal poisoning.
Or will his brief argue that the SGA is just a social club and it should be given no weight in sentencing?