Convicted gamekeeper George Mutch will be sentenced today at Aberdeen Sheriff Court.
Mutch, a 48-year old (now former) member of the Scottish Gamekeepers’ Association who worked on Kildrummy Estate, Aberdeenshire, was found guilty of four wildlife crimes in December, including the illegal killing of a goshawk which he trapped and then clubbed to death, and the trapping and taking of a further goshawk and a buzzard (see here).
All eyes on Sheriff McPartlin, who said in December that a custodial sentence was being considered….
Raptor Persecution UK 
Gamekeepers, the self styled guardians of the countryside are increasingly being found to be what they really are, terrorists of the countryside.
It is about time to get tough on these uncaring criminals. Jail (not suspended) and big fines, including nailing the bosses, is the only way forward.
Let us hope that the industry is in its last throws and not the birds of prey.
Ah yes.”.the rotten apple in the barrel” as he will no doubt be portrayed by the cynical, lying and corrupt representatives of the shooting lobby. Watch out also for the “poor working man, forced to carry out crimes because of the pressure of his job/too many raptors/vermin/blah blah blah”..which we have heard at the end of all too few successful cases against these landowners servants….For any new readers of this blog..take a look at the column to your right entitled “persecution incidents”..then ask yourself how my forecast statements hold up?…..These “apples” are suffering from blight.
The link below refers to a Norfolk news story today – another ‘sporting’ county – what’s sporting about this?
http://www.edp24.co.uk/news/shock_as_animal_remains_are_dumped_in_a_field_near_wymondham_1_3913828