Outrageous case in Scotland

This certainly seems incredible, especially given the way the discovery was covered in June.  There is also the added danger in indiscriminate poisoning cases that pets and children could be harmed by the poisons. (Makes it more difficult to understand the judges comments.) The fact that a Golden Eagle and other wildlifeactually were killed, for which there is a clear penalty, would seem to have been an opportunity for showing what the law can do.  This might be a case which illustrates the difficulty of applying forensic evidence to an individual.  The individual suspected can say that other people have been in the car, the house etc.  I think I have heard that the law might be changed to make it an absolute offence for a landowner ( or current tenant) to have this happen on their land.  This makes someone liable even if it can't be proved who did the deed. However, this obviously has its own problems in justice.

If I moved into a house and found a gun in the loft I would be on to the local police immediately to have it removed.

All in all this is difficult to understand and I hope someone is investigating it further.

Indeed mozziecat. This should have been a landmark case.. a flexing of legal muscles, so to speak.

I have emailed the Scottish minister of the environment, asking her for her views.

This is shocking and just goes to show, the Scottish Government are all talk, no action when it comes to protecting wildlife!

Really awful but happens in similar circumstances all over the U K time after time,unfortunately although perhaps those on the forum do not realise it we as wildlife lovers are a very small minority of the population drove home to me when looked round full supermarket car park and wildlife stickers on windscreen almost non existant.  

Thanks for posting. I agree, this is a really shocking case and needs publicising. The list of questions should be answered. 

michael s said:

Really awful but happens in similar circumstances all over the U K time after time,unfortunately although perhaps those on the forum do not realise it we as wildlife lovers are a very small minority of the population drove home to me when looked round full supermarket car park and wildlife stickers on windscreen almost non existant.  

That doesn't mean anything, I don't have any wildlife stickers on my windscreen!

It just goes to show though, rescue a few people from a train and you can get away with keeping guns illegally!  The evidence was there, the courts though are softer than melted butter and let him get away with blatently breaking the law on gun possession.  It shows that this country is soft on those who illegally possess firearms.

Agree with all you say Kat but admit I thought most wildlife members would have some sticker on screen but we are in a very small minority or RSPB would have many more than 2% of population as members.

I find it horrific but it is a fact proven by sentences given that judges and magistrates do not see wildlife crime as important aided by the fact they are probably in the same circle socially as the land owners.Worse still it is usually very difficult to get evidence and in this case it seemed to be there and still just a slapped wrist.