Gamekeeper pleads responsible in England’s first-ever hen harrier persecution case
A gamekeeper in the Yorkshire Dales was covertly filmed trying to kill a harrier, a bird protected under law, and has today been fined in a landmark first of its kind case
The hen harrier is described as “the most intensely persecuted of all the UK’s birds of prey”.(Image: Getty Images/500px)
A gamekeeper caught on camera trying to kill a protected bird has been fined in the first prosecution of its kind in England. Racster Dingwall, 35, was caught by a covert camera placed by the RSPB in possession of a semi-automatic shotgun.
He and two other men were captured on Grassington Moor, North Yorkshire, using radios and speaking in code to discuss shooting towards and killing wild birds, including hen harriers.
Dingwall pleaded guilty to two charges at York Magistrates’ Court, including conspiracy to kill a hen harrier, and was ordered to pay a total of £1,520 in fines, victim surcharge and prosecution costs. No charges were brought against the other unidentified individuals.
Radio conversations made between the three men heard them talking in code, co-ordinating their positions around the roost in an effort to locate Hen Harriers and determine the best position from which to shoot them in October 2024.
They are also heard discussing protected birds shot that day, including a Buzzard and a Raven. During the conversation it is emphasised that any satellite tagged Hen Harriers should not be shot at this location, as it would cause attention from the authorities.
All wild birds are protected by law, and ‘Schedule 1’ birds, including hen harriers, have additional protection. The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB), describes the hen harrier as “the most intensely persecuted of all the UK’s birds of prey”.
It is thought to be the first time a charge of encouraging or assisting an offence under the Serious Crime Act 2007 has been used in relation to bird of prey persecution.
Speaking after sentencing, inspector Mark Earnshaw of North Yorkshire Police said: “The cruel and illegal persecution of hen harriers and other birds of prey is totally unacceptable.
“This outcome at court follows a thorough police investigation, and incontrovertible evidence. It should send a strong message to anyone else engaged in this criminality: they will be investigated, identified, and put before the courts to face the consequences of their actions.”
Mark Thomas, RSPB’s UK Head of Investigations said: “This landmark conviction has shone a light on this issue, revealing the lengths individuals will go to in order to illegally target these protected birds of prey.
“Shockingly, over 100 hen harriers have been confirmed or suspected to have been illegally killed on or near grouse moors in the UK in just the last five years.
“The RSPB will not rest until the future for this bird is secured and that can only happen with legislative change. Government licensing of grouse shooting is now essential to change practices in this sector.”
For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletter by clicking here.
