North Yorkshire Gamekeeper Fined

More News

Ryan Waite, a North Yorkshire gamekeeper, was convicted under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 at Harrogate Magistrates' Court on 13 February 2014 of two charges of illegally setting a spring trap at his place of work between May and June last year.

The court accepted that there was no intent on the part of Mr Waite to set the trap for the purpose of catching birds of prey, as the prosecution had alleged. Mr Waite told the court the trap had been set to take grey squirrels. The court decided his actions in the manner in which the trap was set to be reckless.

He was fined �250 with �105 costs and victim surcharge.

A spokesman for the National Gamekeepers' Organisation said: "The NGO stands for gamekeeping within the law and does not condone the actions of those who break it. This case should serve as a reminder to anyone, who sets traps for the purposes of conservation management and pest control, of the need to adhere to the letter of the law at all times."

Ryan Waite has never been a member of the National Gamekeepers' Organisation.

The National Gamekeepers' Organisation represents the gamekeepers of England and Wales. It defends and promotes gamekeeping, gamekeepers and ensures high standards throughout the profession. It was founded in 1997 by a group of gamekeepers who felt that their profession was threatened by public misunderstanding and poor representation. The NGO has more than 13,500 members.