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Egg thief told to expect prison | Egg thief told to expect prison |
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A professional egg thief who illegally collected thousands of bird eggs has been told he faces jail. | A professional egg thief who illegally collected thousands of bird eggs has been told he faces jail. |
Richard Pearson, 41, from Phelps Place, Cleethorpes, Lincs, was found with more than 7,000 eggs, described as an "Aladdin's cave" by the prosecution. | |
At Skegness Magistrates' Court, he admitted five charges of illegally stealing and possessing the eggs. | At Skegness Magistrates' Court, he admitted five charges of illegally stealing and possessing the eggs. |
The court heard the haul was one of the largest since legislation in 1981 to protect the eggs of wild birds. | The court heard the haul was one of the largest since legislation in 1981 to protect the eggs of wild birds. |
Pearson had earlier admitted stealing five chough eggs and three peregrine falcon eggs from Pen y Parc in Anglesey in April 2005. | |
'Aladdin's cave' | |
He also admitted stealing four barn owl eggs from a site near Saltfleet, Lincolnshire, that same month. | |
Some of the rarest eggs included those of a red-necked phalarope and a Montagu's harrier. | |
There are around 30 red-necked phalaropes living in the UK. The Montagu's harrier is just as rare. | |
Pearson pleaded not guilty to charges relating to the possession of 21 dead birds and egg collecting paraphernalia that was found at his home. | |
Prosecuting counsel David Outterside said: "Mr Pearson has in effect admitted to being a professional birds' egg thief who operated at the highest end of one of Britain's most destructive natural pastimes. | Prosecuting counsel David Outterside said: "Mr Pearson has in effect admitted to being a professional birds' egg thief who operated at the highest end of one of Britain's most destructive natural pastimes. |
"His house was an Aladdin's cave, full of illegal birds' eggs. Officers found both eggs and birds protected by the Countryside Act." | "His house was an Aladdin's cave, full of illegal birds' eggs. Officers found both eggs and birds protected by the Countryside Act." |