Gamekeeper Racster Dingwall pleads not guilty to two charges relating to alleged conspiracy to kill a Hen Harrier on grouse moor in Yorkshire Dales National Park

Further to this morning’s blog (here), gamekeeper Racster Dingwall, 34, appeared at Skipton Magistrates’ Court this afternoon where he pleaded not guilty to two charges relating to an alleged conspiracy to kill a Hen Harrier on a grouse moor (Coniston & Grassington Estate) in the Yorkshire Dales National Park on 2nd October 2024.

This case relates to the covert footage filmed by the RSPB’s Investigations team last autumn and later shown on Channel 4 News (here).

As Dingwall has pleaded not guilty the case will now move towards a trial.

A pre-trial hearing has been scheduled for 9th September 2025 at York Magistrates’ Court for legal discussion about the admissibility of the video and audio footage.

Keep an eye on Channel 4 News this evening…

NB: Comments are closed until criminal proceedings have concluded.

UPDATE 4 May 2025: News coverage about first court appearance of Yorkshire Dales gamekeeper Racster Dingwall in relation to alleged conspiracy to shoot a Hen Harrier (here)

UPDATE 9 September 2025: Gamekeeper Racster Dingwall back in court today for case relating to Hen Harrier shooting on a grouse moor in Yorkshire Dales National Park (here)

UPDATE 9 September 2025: Judge rules RSPB covert video surveillance is admissible evidence in prosecution of gamekeeper Racster Dingwall (here)

UPDATE 25 September 2025: More detail on court ruling accepting admissibility of RSPB’s covert surveillance in prosecution of gamekeeper accused of conspiracy to kill a Hen Harrier (here)