Gamekeeper sentenced for wildlife crimes

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Earlier this year we reported that one of our members, Paul Allen from Dorset, had his NGO membership suspended. This was due to the terms of membership of the National Gamekeeper’s Organisation, which state that any member convicted or cautioned for a wildlife crime will have their membership automatically suspended.

The NGO disciplinary sub-committee subsequently met to discuss what further action would be taken, and the decision was made to permanently expel him from the Organisation.

Yesterday, 16 February, Mr Allen was sentenced at Weymouth Magistrates’ Court for seven offences. These were two counts of possessing a live or dead bird, or parts thereof; one charge of failing to comply with the conditions of a shotgun certificate; one charge of failing to comply with the conditions of a firearms certificate; one count of possessing a regulated substance without a license; one count of failing to comply with regulations in accordance with the Plant Protection Products (Sustainable Use) Regulations 2012; and one charge of contravening a health and safety regulations.

He received a total of 15 weeks in prison for the two charges of possessing dead birds, or parts thereof, suspended for 12 months. He recevied fines totalling £2,022 and compensation to the value of £844.70.

As the lead body for gamekeeping, the NGO has a responsibility to protect the reputation of the gamekeeping sector. We have a no-tolerance approach to any kind of wildlife crime, and expect our members to adhere to the Code of Good Shooting Practice.

This is regularly reinforced to our members. NGO disciplinary matters are decided by our disciplinary committee, more information on which can be found here: https://www.nationalgamekeepers.org.uk/policy/ngo-disciplinary-procedure