Wimborne gamekeeper admits animal welfare offences
54 year old Paul Allen has pleaded guilty to seven charges
A gamekeeper from Wimborne has admitted a series of animal welfare and firearms offences.
54 year old Paul Allen has appeared before Weymouth Magistrates Court, to be sentenced in February.
He's pleaded guilty to two charges of possessions parts of nine dead buzzards; two charges of failing to comply with the conditions of a shot gun certificate; and charges of failing to follow health and safety regulations for possessing pesticides and insecticides.
All the offences relate to his employment.
Prosecutor Elizabeth Valera, prosecuting, told the court:
"The investigation has been over a number of years.
"Back in November 2020 a dead kite was found in a field and lying close to it a dead rat was found and both were contaminated with a substance.
"Following the finding of those, an investigation then began and toxicology reports were ordered. The rat appeared to have been laced with something which has then killed the kite.
"The police began an investigation, and they went to Mr Allen's address and he was a gamekeeper at the time of a local estate."
Dorset Police searched Allen's home in March 2021, and found the remains of dead buzzards, illegal stored chemicals, a loaded shotgun not in a cabinet, and illegally stored ammunition rounds.
Sentencing's due to take place on February 16th at Weymouth Magistrates.
Allen has been released on unconditional bail for the preparation of pre-sentence reports.