Gamekeeper Stuart Hart due in court tomorrow to face charges of alleged wildlife crime

A gamekeeper is due to appear before Wrexham Magistrates tomorrow (Thurs, 28 March 2024) after being charged with alleged wildlife crime offences.

According to court documents, Stuart Hart, 47, faces two charges – Using a trap to kill or take a wild bird (in this case, a Goshawk) and possession of an article capable of being used to commit a summary offence.

Young goshawk in a cage trap. Photo by RSPB (file photo, not linked to this case)

A press release about this case issued by North Wales Police earlier this month (here) was quite vague, with no details about the date of the alleged offences and no detail about the location other than ‘on the outskirts of Wrexham‘.

Hopefully more detail will be available after tomorrow’s hearing. This will be the defendant’s first court appearance and he’s yet to enter a plea.

NB: Comments are closed until criminal proceedings have concluded.

UPDATE 31 March 2024: Defence solicitor in prosecution against gamekeeper Stuart Hart wants to challenge admissibility of RSPB video evidence (here)

UPDATE 30 April 2024: Case discontinued against Ruabon Moor gamekeeper Stuart Hart (here)