The latest case against five-times convicted (and four-times jailed) egg thief, Matthew Simon Gonshaw, was heard today at Inverness Sheriff Court.
Gonshaw faces three charges which include taking or destroying wild birds’ eggs, being in possession of wild birds’ eggs, and being in possession of equipment capable of being used in the taking or destroying of wild birds’ eggs.
His case was continued without plea and the next hearing will be in April.
Gonshaw was recently served with a ten-year asbo (anti-social behaviour order) that bans him from visiting Scotland during the bird breeding season. Background info here.
Raptor Persecution UK 
is he inside at the moment, as at 10.00 am this morning someone vaguely similiar but with greyer hair was studying a peregrine cliff on the isle of wight? he had a younger man and woman with him. the younger bloke possibly had an irish accent. the other two were definately londoners. what was odd was that they watched the cliff intently for at least 20 mins, but had no interest in the bushes (migrants). he was wearing a cheap pair of bins and had something concealed in a floppy yellow hat possibly a small scope.
Cheers
Ian
[Ed: Thanks Ian. We strongly recommend you contact Hampshire Constabulary (wildlife crime team: http://www.hampshire.police.uk/Internet/rural/Isle+of+Wight+OCU.htm) as well as RSPB Investigations: http://www.rspb.org.uk/ourwork/policy/wildbirdslaw/preventing/reporting.aspx%5D
thanks for that i’m in contact with the Police countrywatch team anyway but i’ve sent them the details. Not the quickest though are they, the Police!
Keep up the good work, don’t let the system grind you down.
Cheers
Ian