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'Aladdin's cave' egg thief jailed | |
(10 minutes later) | |
A professional egg thief who illegally collected more than 7,000 birds' eggs has been jailed for 23 weeks. | |
Richard Pearson, 41, of Phelps Place, Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire, had eggs from many rare birds such as golden eagles, peregrine falcons and ospreys. | |
At Skegness Magistrates' Court Pearson admitted five charges of illegally stealing and possessing the eggs - one of the largest hauls ever recovered. | At Skegness Magistrates' Court Pearson admitted five charges of illegally stealing and possessing the eggs - one of the largest hauls ever recovered. |
The prosecution likened his collection of illegal eggs to "Aladdin's cave". | |
In addition to the jail sentence, Pearson was ordered to pay costs of £1,500. | |
Pearson had admitted stealing five chough eggs and three peregrine falcon eggs from Pen y Parc in Anglesey in April 2005. | Pearson had 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, in the same month. | |
The prosecution described Pearson's home as an Aladdin's Cave of eggs | 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 about 30 red-necked phalaropes living in the UK. The Montagu's harrier is just as rare. | There are about 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 items including a rubber dinghy, waders, climbing spikes, syringes, cameras and satellite navigation systems. | They also seized items including a rubber dinghy, waders, climbing spikes, syringes, cameras and satellite navigation systems. |