A four-day trial is set to begin today at Aberdeen Sheriff Court in a case against two Scottish gamekeepers who are charged with offences in relation to the alleged killing of Red Kites in the Cairngorms National Park in February 2025.
Head gamekeeper Graeme Rankin and assistant gamekeeper Steven Hague have denied the charges.
This trial was due to be heard in December 2025 but was adjourned after the Sheriff made a declaration that he was a monthly subscriber to the RSPB. The two defence advocates, both KCs, lodged a motion that the Sheriff should consider recusing himself because the ‘public might perceive some bias’. The Sheriff agreed to stand down because this case involves RSPB staff members as witnesses for the prosecution.
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Raptor Persecution UK 