This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/lincolnshire/7324397.stm
The article has changed 8 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 2 | Version 3 |
---|---|
Egg thief told to expect prison | Egg thief told to expect prison |
(10 minutes later) | |
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. | 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. | Pearson had earlier admitted stealing five chough eggs and three peregrine falcon eggs from Pen y Parc in Anglesey in April 2005. |
He also admitted stealing four barn owl eggs from a site near Saltfleet, Lincolnshire, that same month. | He also admitted stealing four barn owl eggs from a site near Saltfleet, Lincolnshire, that same month. |
The prosecution described Pearson's home as an Aladdin's Cave of eggs | |
Some of the rarest eggs included those of a red-necked phalarope and a Montagu's harrier. | 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. | 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. | 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." |
When police officers and inspectors from the RSPB raided his home they discovered 7,130 eggs, 653 of which were from the most protected species in the UK. | When police officers and inspectors from the RSPB raided his home they discovered 7,130 eggs, 653 of which were from the most protected species in the UK. |
Officers also found dozens of data cards and diaries, detailing where and when he had found the eggs. | Officers also found dozens of data cards and diaries, detailing where and when he had found the eggs. |
They also seized including a rubber dinghy, waders, climbing spikes, syringes, cameras and satellite navigation systems. | They also seized including a rubber dinghy, waders, climbing spikes, syringes, cameras and satellite navigation systems. |