Worrying development recently reported in the Scottish media. A Sheriff in the borders (less glamourous than it sounds, Sheriffs are judges sitting with or without a jury, handling most of the moderately serious crime in Scotland) has been criticised for downplaying the severity of wildlife crime during a conference. The sheriff in question is chair of a wildlife protection group, which is under the auspices of the Justice department of the Scottish Govt. (them again)
It appears that the Sheriff compared wildlife crime with other serious crimes, which is all good and well, but his focus should be on tackling wildlife crime, not downplaying it. Is it any wonder that offenders get let off with a slap on the wrist in a lot of cases,
In a fine example of missing the point entirely, the justice secretary backed the sheriff, citing the amount of time he devotes to wildlife issues, as shown in his attendance....at the conference, where he downplayed the severity of it.
Unbelievable.
I even love magpies
I don't know about other wildlife crime, but I believe that when badger diggers/baiters are caught, they almost always turn out to be involved in various other shady things - theft, drugs, unlicensed firearms, etc. - and they often have previous convictions for things like assault.
It seems to me that if the courts sentenced wildlife criminals properly, society might benefit in more ways than one.
BB
Hi BB
So right in what you say
It is a close connection with a start of crime life via animals leads to more substantial crime at the end of the day.
It is a reality check that many 'Courts' need to understand.
Regards
Kathy and Dave
Badgerbread said: I don't know about other wildlife crime, but I believe that when badger diggers/baiters are caught, they almost always turn out to be involved in various other shady things - theft, drugs, unlicensed firearms, etc. - and they often have previous convictions for things like assault. It seems to me that if the courts sentenced wildlife criminals properly, society might benefit in more ways than one. BB