Thanks to the contributor who sent us a recent copy of the following article published in the Press & Journal (dated 28 Nov 2012) -:
Three North men [all gamekeepers] will go on trial next year on charges of allegedly committing a string of wildlife offences on a Sutherland country estate.
None of the three accused appeared when their case was called at Dornoch Sheriff Court yesterday [Tues 27 Nov 2012] but their pleas were entered by their solicitors.
Mathew Johnston, 20 of Morvich House, Morvich Estate, Rogart, pleaded not guilty to the four charges against him, allegedly committed on the estate on February 16. The charges include that he set in place a snare which could have caused an animal coming into contact with it unnecessary suffering. He is also accused of having a dead wild bird, a barnacle goose, in his possession.
Jamie Neal, 37, of The Bothy, Morvich Estates, denied the five charges against him, which included failing to provide a suitable environment for nine crows for which he was responsible.
And the third accused, William Docharty, 57, of 10, Elizabeth Court, Dornoch, pleaded not guilty to the charge he faces that he set a snare which could have caused an animal coming into contact with it unnecessary suffering.
An intermediate court hearing was set for 18 February 2013 and a trial date for 19 March 2013.
Raptor Persecution UK 