Gamekeeper Jailed In Landmark Case

A gamekeeper has been jailed for trapping and killing wild birds in Scotland in a historical case. The sentencing of George Mutch represents the first time a gamekeeper has been jailed in Scotland for a wildlife crime.

Despite denying the killing of a rare bird of prey, Mr Mutch was found guilty of four charges against him. The charges included recklessly killing or injuring a goshawk, which saw the former-gameskeeper sentenced to four months in prison.

Landmark Case

The case is historical due to the fact that it is the first time a gamekeeper has been jailed for killing a rare bird of prey. Furthermore the case also marks one of the first times hidden cameras have been used to prosecute a wildlife crime in court.

Secret cameras set up by the RSPB to monitor Larsen traps and other traps being used, showed Mr Mutch killing one goshawk by hitting it with a stick. The footage also showed the gamekeeper capturing two other birds and putting them into sacks, with the fate of the birds still unknown.

Duncan Orr-Ewing, of RSPB Scotland, praised the  historic judgement in the landmark case. He said: “This penalty should be a turning point, sending a clear message to those determined to flout our laws that wildlife crime will not be tolerated but instead will be treated with the seriousness that it deserves.”

He added: “Wildlife criminals must expect no sympathy from now on."

Mutch had also kept live birds or used models of animals in traps to lure other wildlife into them. The severity of his actions have resulted in his Scottish Gamekeepers Association (SGA) membership being suspended. A spokesman for the organisation said that the group was committed to ending wildlife crimes. The spokesman said: "The SGA has taken the ultimate sanction available to it, as an organisation, Mr Mutch will no longer hold an SGA membership.

"The court has made its decision and Mr Mutch will now have to live with the consequences of his actions."

The SGA also called for measures that saw criminal sentences used more often as a deterrent to committing crimes against wildlife.

Important to Preserve Wildlife

Mr Mutch maintained his innocence throughout proceedings stating that he killed a goshawk as he believed it was seriously injured in an explanation that was deemed to be a “convenient lie” by the court.

Sara Shaw, procurator fiscal for wildlife and environment, said: "Birds of prey are given strict protection by our law.

"Goshawks in particular are rare birds: the court heard evidence in this case that there are only about 150 nesting pairs in Scotland.

"It is highly important to preserve Scotland's natural heritage, including the wildlife that forms part of it. Our environmental laws exist to provide this protection.

“The conviction of Mr Mutch and the severity of the sentence given by the court highlights that message."

Sheriff Noel McPartlin said that the persecution of wild birds was a "huge problem"  and that Mr Mutch had been found guilty of a very serious offence that would simply not be tolerated in Scotland.

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