Tag: barn owl

Man found not guilty of criminal damage relating to dumping of 50 dead Hares at Broughton Community Shop, but guilty of possession of dead Kestrel and Barn Owl

A man has been found not guilty of criminal damage in relation to the dumping of 50 dead Hares outside Broughton Community Shop in Hampshire, but has been found guilty of being in possession of two dead birds of prey, a Kestrel and a Barn Owl, that were found rammed up against the shop’s door handles.

James ‘Jimmy’ Kempster, 39, of Bury Brickfield Park in Totton, Southampton, had been accused of being one of three masked men involved with the shocking incident that was caught on CCTV in the early hours of 15th March 2024.

Screen grab from the CCTV footage outside Broughton Community Shop

The prosecution argued that DNA found on the dead birds was matched to Kempster and that he was also linked to the incident through his mobile phone location, his clothing and connections to the vehicle, which was found burnt out in a country lane.

However, after a two-day trial that concluded at Southampton Magistrates’ Court yesterday, the magistrates decided that there was insufficient evidence to show that Kempster was involved, or even at the scene, so declared him not guilty of criminal damage to the shop windows.

They did, however, accept the DNA evidence and determined that Kempster had been in possession of the dead raptors at some point, but that didn’t necessarily mean he was the individual seen on the footage ramming the birds’ corpses up against the shop’s door handles. He was found guilty of possession of a dead schedule 1 wild bird, and possession of a dead non-schedule 1 wild bird under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.

Sentencing was adjourned for background reports and Kempster was released on bail, to return to the same court on 23 June 2026.

Kempster has 13 previous convictions, including several relating to Hare coursing offences (e.g. see here in Wiltshire) and a conviction for possession of an offensive weapon (catapult) when he was involved in a mass brawl between feuding families at Wickham Horse Fair in Hampshire (see here).

Previous blogs on this case see here, here, here, here, here, here and here.

Media coverage:

The Guardian (includes the disturbing CCTV footage from Broughton Community Shop) here

BBC News here

Salisbury Journal here

Press release from Hampshire Constabulary here

Trial underway for man accused of dumping 50 dead hares & two raptors outside Broughton village shop in Hampshire

A trial is underway at Southampton Magistrates’ Court this week for a man who is accused of several offences relating to the dumping of 50 hares and two raptors (a Barn Owl and a Kestrel) outside a community shop in Broughton, Hampshire, in March 2024.

James Kempster, 39, of Totton, Southampton, is charged with two counts of possessing a dead bird under the Wildlife and Countryside Act and a charge of criminal damage to the shop front.

Photo by Broughton Community Shop

The court heard that the alleged incident was caught on CCTV in the early hours of 15th March 2024.

Prosecutor Adam Cooper said: “This is a horror movie scene outside a Broughton village shop – it’s a small Hampshire village.

“In the middle of the night, at 3.23am, three men arrived outside the shop by car, the driver remains in the car, having manoeuvred it to a position so the boot is adjacent to the forecourt.

“Two men get out. They are both dressed in tracksuits, hoods up, balaclavas covering their faces so neither can be identified.

“They get out to discard the bodies of 50 dead hares over the forecourt, strewn about deliberately to maximise their coverage. The Crown says one of those two men is James Kempster.

Mr Cooper said one of the men then “tears or rips the body of one of the hares in half, blood is dripping on the floor, wipes the shop front, smearing the blood”.

He then takes two birds, a Barn owl and a Kestrel, from the car before wiping them in the blood and “stuffing” them under the door handles, the prosecutor said.

Mr Cooper added that the man “then beckons the car to show the driver their handiwork, gets into the car and leaves“.

The prosecutor told the court that DNA found on the dead birds was matched to Kemspter. He was also linked to the incident through his mobile phone location, his clothing and connections to the car, which was found burnt out in a country lane.

Kempster denies the charges and the trial continues.

This trial had been originally scheduled to take place in May 2025. For previous blogs on the case see here, here, here, here, here and here.

NB: Comments are turned off as legal proceedings are still live.

UPDATE 25 April 2026: Man found not guilty of criminal damage relating to dumping of 50 dead Hares at Broughton Community Shop, but guilty of possession of dead Kestrel and Barn Owl (here)

Trial date set in relation to dumping of dead raptors & hares outside Broughton Community Shop, Hampshire

James Kempster, 37, of Bury Brickfield Park, Totton made a second appearance at Southampton Magistrates Court on 23 September 2024 to face charges in relation to the dumping of approximately 50 hares, a shot barn owl and a shot kestrel outside Broughton Community Shop near Stockbridge, Hampshire in March this year.

The shot kestrel and shot barn owl had been impaled on the shop door handles and blood & guts had been smeared over the windows. Photo: Broughton Community Shop

Hampshire Police charged Kempster in August with possessing live/dead Schedule 1 wild bird or its parts, possessing live/dead non-Schedule 1 wild bird or parts, and causing £5,000 worth of criminal damage to the shop window.

He had first appeared in court on 10th September but the case was adjourned. Appearing again in court on 23rd September, Kempster pleaded not guilty to all charges and a trial date has been set for 7 May 2025.

Kempster was released on bail on condition that he doesn’t enter the village of Broughton.

Previous blogs on this case here, here, here, here and here.

As this case is live, comments are turned off until criminal proceedings have concluded so as not to jeopardise the case.

UPDATE 21 April 2026: Trial underway for man accused of dumping 50 dead hares & two raptors outside Broughton village shop in Hampshire (here)

Man in court in connection to dumped hares and shot raptors at Broughton community shop, Hampshire

James Kempster, 37, of Bury Brickfield Park, Totton appeared at Southampton Magistrates Court on Tuesday 10th September 2024 to face charges in relation to the dumping of approximately 50 hares, a shot barn owl and a shot kestrel outside Broughton community shop near Stockbridge, Hampshire in March this year.

Hampshire Police charged Kempster in August with possessing live/dead Schedule 1 wild bird or its parts, possessing live/dead non-Schedule 1 wild bird or parts, and causing £5,000 worth of criminal damage to the shop window.

The shot kestrel and shot barn owl had been impaled on the shop door handles and blood & guts had been smeared over the windows. Photo: Broughton Community Shop

Kempster spoke only to confirm his name and address and did not enter a plea. The case was adjourned and will continue on 23 September 2023. Kemspter’s bail conditions ban him from entering Broughton.

Previous blogs on this case here, here, here and here.

A report of Kempster’s first court appearance can be read here.

As this case is live, comments are turned off until criminal proceedings have concluded so as not to jeopardise the case.

UPDATE 29 September 2024: Trial date set in relation to dumping of dead raptors & hares outside Broughton community shop (here)

UPDATE 21 April 2026: Trial underway for man accused of dumping 50 dead hares & two raptors outside Broughton village shop in Hampshire (here)

Man charged in connection to dumped hares & raptors outside community shop in Hampshire

Press release from Hampshire Constabulary (13 August 2024):

MAN CHARGED IN CONNECTION WITH BROUGHTON WILDLIFE CRIME INVESTIGATION

A man has been charged in connection with an incident in which dead animals were left outside a shop in Broughton.

James Kempster, 37, of Marchwood Road in Totton, has been charged with possessing live/dead Schedule 1 wild bird or its parts, possessing live/dead non-Schedule 1 wild bird or parts, and criminal damage.

On the morning of March 15 this year, police received reports that around 50 dead hares, a kestrel and a barn owl were found outside Broughton Community Shop in High Street.

Officers from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary’s Country Watch Team have been investigating the incident alongside the Criminal Investigation Department, which has now resulted in these charges.

Kempster is due to appear at Southampton Magistrates Court on Tuesday 10 September.

ENDS

For previous blogs on this case see here, here and here.

As this case is now live, comments are turned off until criminal proceedings have concluded so as not to jeopardise the case.

UPDATE 21 April 2026: Trial underway for man accused of dumping 50 dead hares & two raptors outside Broughton village shop in Hampshire (here)

Police interview second man in relation to dumped hares & raptors outside Broughton community shop

On March 15th 2024 around 50 dead hares and a dead kestrel and barn owl were found dumped outside Broughton community shop in Hampshire, causing widespread revulsion and condemnation across the media (see here).

The kestrel and barn owl had been impaled on the shop door handles and blood & guts had been smeared over the windows. Photo: Broughton Community Shop

Two weeks later Hampshire Constabulary arrested a man on suspicion of a number of offences in relation to this incident (see here).

Yesterday, Hampshire Constabulary issued another press statement, as follows:

MAN INTERVIEWED UNDER CAUTION AS PART OF BROUGHTON WILDLIFE CRIME INVESTIGATION

Officers have questioned a second man in connection with an incident in which dead animals were left outside a shop in Broughton.

On the morning of Friday 15 March, police received reports that around 50 dead hares, a kestrel and a barn owl were found outside Broughton Community Shop in High Street.

Officers from the Hampshire & Isle of Wight Country Watch Team have been following various lines of enquiry as part of the investigation.

As previously mentioned, officers arrested a 37-year-old man from Totton on Thursday 28 March on suspicion of a number of offences, including criminal damage, wildlife and firearms offences.

He was subsequently released on police bail with conditions until Friday 28 June, pending further enquiries.

Yesterday (Tuesday 9 April), a 27-year-old man from Hythe attended a police station on a voluntary basis and was interviewed under caution. He remains under investigation.

Officers continue to investigate the circumstances of this incident.

Anyone who has any further information that may help our enquiries is asked to contact us on 101, quoting the reference number 44240111410, or via our website.

ENDS

UPDATE 14 August 2024: Man charged in connection to dumped hares and raptors outside community shop in Hampshire (here)

UPDATE 21 April 2026: Trial underway for man accused of dumping 50 dead hares & two raptors outside Broughton village shop in Hampshire (here)

Man in custody in relation to dumped hares & raptors outside Broughton community shop

A couple of weeks ago around 50 dead hares and a dead kestrel and barn owl were found dumped outside Broughton community shop in Hampshire, causing widespread revulsion and condemnation across the media (see here).

The kestrel and barn owl had been impaled on the shop door handles and blood & guts had been smeared over the windows. Photo: Broughton Community Shop

Yesterday evening Hampshire Constabulary announced that a man had been arrested and was being held in custody in connection to this horrific incident.

Hampshire Constabulary press release (28 March 2024):

ARREST MADE IN BROUGHTON WILDLIFE CRIME INVESTIGATION

A man has been arrested in connection with an incident where a number of dead animals were left outside a shop in Broughton.

Police were called on the morning of Friday 15 March, after around 50 dead hares, a kestrel and a barn owl were found outside the Broughton Community Shop in High Street.

An investigation was launched and officers from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Country Watch team have been following various lines of enquiry.

Part of our enquiries have included examinations of the barn owl and kestrel. Those examinations revealed that both birds had been shot with a firearm. Both the kestrel and the barn owl are listed under Schedule 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, giving them legal protection.

Today (Thursday 28 March), officers have arrested a 37-year-old man from Totton on suspicion of the following offences:

  • Criminal Damage
  • Night Poaching
  • An offence under the Public Order Act
  • Killing of a Schedule 1 bird
  • An offence under the Animal Welfare Act
  • Killing of Brown Hare in the closed season
  • An offence under the Firearms Act

He remains in police custody while we carry out our enquiries.

Country Watch Sergeant Stuart Ross said: “Since this incident took place, we have been actively pursuing a number of lines of enquiry and working with partner agencies to establish the circumstances of what happened.

“We are grateful for the help we have received from the local community and we’d like to thank them for their patience while we investigate what happened.

“There may be some people with information who have not yet come forward, and if so, we would urge them to do so as soon as possible.”

Anyone with information can report it by calling 101, quoting the reference number 44240111410, or via our website.

ENDS

UPDATE: The man has been released on bail until 28 June 2024, pending further enquiries.

UPDATE 11 April 2024: Police interview second man in relation to dumped hares and raptors outside Broughton community shop (here)

UPDATE 14 August 2024: Man charged in connection to dumped hares and raptors outside community shop in Hampshire (here)

UPDATE 21 April 2026: Trial underway for man accused of dumping 50 dead hares & two raptors outside Broughton village shop in Hampshire (here)

Illegally killed hares & raptors dumped outside community shop – Hampshire Police investigating

This is horrific.

Posted on Twitter this morning:

There are at least 38 dead hares and a dead kestrel and barn owl. This is a village community shop in Broughton near Stockbridge.

Hampshire Police have attended the scene, removed the corpses and have launched an investigation.

UPDATE 29 March 2024: Man in custody in relation to dumped hares and raptors outside Broughton community shop (here)

UPDATE 11 April 2024: Police interview second man in relation to dumped hares and raptors outside Broughton community shop (here)

UPDATE 14 August 2024: Man charged in connection to dumped hares and raptors outside community shop in Hampshire (here)

UPDATE 12 September 2024: Man in court in connection to dumped hares and shot raptors at Broughton community shop, Hampshire (here)

UPDATE 29 September 2024: Trial date set in relation to dumping of dead raptors & hares outside Broughton community shop (here)

UPDATE 21 April 2026: Trial underway for man accused of dumping 50 dead hares & two raptors outside Broughton village shop in Hampshire (here)

UPDATE 25 April 2026: Man found not guilty of criminal damage relating to dumping of 50 dead Hares at Broughton Community Shop, but guilty of possession of dead Kestrel and Barn Owl (here)

Leicestershire man receives 12 month community order for illegal possession of dead protected species, including 8 raptors

In October 2023, Kelvin Birtles of Saffron Road, Wigston appeared at Leicester Magistrates Court where he pleaded guilty to three offences – the possession of two dead badgers (in breach of the Protection of Badgers Act), the possession of two dead otters (in breach of the Wildlife & Countryside Act) and the possession of nine dead birds including three buzzards, four tawny owls, one barn owl and one swan, which were all found in his freezer during a joint police and trading standards raid in April 2023. Sentencing was deferred for background reports (see blog here).

Buzzard photo by Andy Howard

Birtle re-appeared at Leicester Magistrates Court on 15th November 2023 where he told the court he didn’t know he needed a licence, that some of the items were for his taxidermy hobby, and that some had been roadkill that he’d removed from near a school because ‘he didn’t want kids to see them smashed up on the road’.

He received a 12 month community order requiring him to carry out 120 hours unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay £85 costs and £114 victim surcharge.

Source: Leicestershire Live website

Leicestershire man pleads guilty to possession of 8 raptors & other protected wildlife found in his freezer

A Leicestershire man has been convicted for the possession of protected wildlife that was discovered in his freezer during a joint police and trading standards raid in April 2023.

Kelvin Birtles of Saffron Road, Wigston, pleaded guilty to three offences – the possession of two dead badgers (in breach of the Protection of Badgers Act), the possession of two dead otters (in breach of the Wildlife & Countryside Act) and the possession of nine dead birds including three buzzards, four tawny owls, one barn owl and one swan.

Buzzard photo: Steve Robinson

The body parts of other animals were also found during the raid, including  llamas, piglets, a pheasant and a horse, although as these are not protected species, their possession isn’t an offence.

Birtles had claimed all the animals were roadkill and that he hadn’t killed them himself. Even if that’s true, possession of protected species is still an offence.

District Judge Jonathan Straw ordered a probation report and deferred sentencing until 15th November.

Source: Leicestershire Live

UPDATE 30 December 2023: Leicestershire man receives 12 month community order for illegal possession of dead protected species, including 8 raptors (here)