Earlier this month, following a trial at Lincolnshire Magistrates Court, gamekeeper John Bryant, 40, of West Ashby, Horncastle was found guilty of multiple offences following a police investigation into the illegal killing of a red kite and two buzzards over a five year period (see here).
Sentencing was deferred until this morning.
Lincolnshire Police have just issued the following statement:
MAN SENTENCED FOR POSSESSING DANGEROUS CHEMICALS AND BIRD TRAPS
A farmer and game keeper who used illegal traps and stored dangerous chemicals has been sentenced.
Police officers found the items after an investigation into the deaths of three birds of prey led them to the property of John Bryant from West Ashby in Horncastle.
The 40-year-old pleaded guilty to two charges and was found guilty of two more under the Wildlife and Countryside Act and Healthy and Safety Regulations when he appeared at Lincoln Magistrates’ Court earlier this month.
Investigators found the dead birds – a red kite and two buzzards – just north of West Ashby; forensic analysis determined they had been poisoned.
The findings led officers to execute a warrant and search Bryant’s land on 4 October 2022 where items were found which suggested he was targeting birds of prey using poison and traps.
Lincolnshire’s Rural Crime Action Team was joined by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, the National Wildlife Crime Unit, and Inspectors from Natural England to carry out the warrant.
A chemical identified as Alphachloralose – typically used to kill rodents and which is also one of the most common substances known to poison birds of prey – was discovered in a vehicle being used by Bryant with a second tub containing the same product later being found in his garage.
The chemical was highly concentrated with levels found to be over 80% meaning it is a banned and highly dangerous substance.
Illegal traps were also found in the search.
Two pole traps, which are specifically used to kill birds of prey, were recovered at the property at two pheasant release pens and found to contain tawny owl and pigeon DNA.
Bryant pleaded guilty to two charges of storing Alpha Chloralose at his home and was found guilty of two charges of possessing a spring trap tethered to a pole. These relate to contravening Health and Safety Regulations and the Wildlife Countryside Act.
He was found not guilty of a further two counts of possessing Alpha Chloralose; two counts of using a spring trap tethered to a pole; and two counts of possessing gin traps.
Bryant was sentenced today and must pay fines of £2112, he must pay costs of £4492 and a victim surcharge of £845.
Due to his conviction, Bryant can no longer use a General Licence to carry out vermin control.
The sentence concludes a lengthy investigation that took years to bring to court and saw Lincolnshire Police work with a variety of partners to bring Bryant to justice.
It showcases the hard work, determination and tenacity of our Rural Crime Action Team and our commitment to protecting the county’s animals, not just its people.
DC Aaron Flint, Force Wildlife Crime Officer, Rural Crime Action Team, said:
“Unfortunately, this case is just one of many birds of prey poisonings reported in Lincolnshire in recent years. However, the outcome demonstrates that we and other agencies will take raptor persecution very seriously.
“We thoroughly investigate any reports that relate to criminal activity around birds of prey. Our message to anyone who unlawfully harms or kills our iconic wildlife is this; If you commit crimes against wildlife in Lincolnshire, we will identify you and you will be put before the courts where the evidence allows.
“This investigation was made possible through close collaboration with multiple agencies, and I want to express my gratitude to the National Wildlife Crime Unit, the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, Natural England, and the Wildlife DNA Forensic unit at SASA for their invaluable support.
“The Forensic Analysis Fund also played a vital role in advancing this investigation and the Wildlife Specialist at the Crown Prosecution Service.”
Chief Inspector Kevin Lacks-Kelly, Head of the UK National Wildlife Crime Unit said:
“Thanks to the work of police and partners we have seen justice delivered. This conviction sends a strong message that bird of prey crime will not be tolerated, and you will feel the full force of the national policing capability.
“These offences are not only cruel, they undermine the conservation of our vulnerable wildlife. These birds should be free for us all to enjoy, not consigned to police evidence bags.”
Notes
Charges could not be brought under Section 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 in respect of the original three birds of prey as these are time-limited offences.
The Forensic Analysis Fund (FAF) offers financial support to police and customs officers seeking to carry out forensic analysis during a wildlife crime investigation -using funds donated from government departments and non-government organisations. For amounts up to £300 the scheme will cover full forensic costs. For amounts in excess of £300, the scheme will cover the initial £300 plus 50% of the remainder. The fund has been established to encourage the use of forensic techniques to help solve wildlife crimes and comes under the banner of the Partnership for Action against Wildlife Crime (PAW). Many wildlife cases which make use of forensic analysis would otherwise have failed to reach prosecution stage or be eliminated at an early stage. Founded in 2008, the scheme has already provided money to help support over 60 cases.
ENDS
UPDATE 18.20hrs: RSPB statement on conviction of Lincolnshire gamekeeper John Bryant (here)
Raptor Persecution UK 
The police deserve congratulations for bringing this prosecution. It is a huge shame that other forces do not show such initiatives. The sentence of course was truly pathetic, but as we have learned, nothing unusual.
Why would ANYONE commit such horrible crimes. The sentences should be much stronger and the fines much, much higher