Sick Scots farmer poisoned multiple birds of prey to 'protect' own flock

19.05.2023 - 11:33 / dailyrecord.co.uk

A waterfowl enthusiast cruelly killed multiple birds of prey in Scotland in a bid to protect his own flock of exotic ducks.

Barry Nicolle, 67, who runs his own breeding farm, pleaded guilty to the use of banned poisons to kill five red kites and ten rooks at Dumfries Sheriff Court today. The conviction is believed to be a first of its kind in which multiple birds of prey have been killed with poison.

Nicolle also pleaded guilty to the possession of several highly toxic pesticides, including using a crow trap illegally and an air weapon licensing offence. The court heard how between 2019 and 2020, the pensioner laced bait with banned pesticides.

He also placed poisoned bread on fence posts around his land which is about 164 yards from Springholm Primary School. All of this was done to attract and kill scavengers in a bid to protect his own collection of exotic and ornamental waterfowl from a perceived threat.

Numerous reports of suspicious deaths of red kites in Nicolle's area were made to police and animal welfare authorities by worried members of the public. One one occasion, several red kites were found lying motionless on the ground in a distressed state and had to be put to sleep.

In another incident, ten poisoned rooks were found on the grounds of Springholm Primary School. Post-mortem examinations were able to identify a pattern in the deaths, and established they all linked to a banned Carbofuran based pesticide called Aldicarb.

All the deaths centred around Nicolle’s property and as a result, police applied for and were granted a warrant to search Wickerty Snook. They were soon able to conduct a search of Nicolle's home, where they found a collection of poisons within.

Poisoned bait and traps, including an untagged and

Tags: Death 2020 reports gatherings shock action Assurant Scotland

See showbiz news on dailyrecord.co.uk

The website popstar.one is an aggregator of news from open sources. The source is indicated at the beginning and at the end of the announcement. You can send a complaint on the news if you find it unreliable.

Golden Wonder crisp packet from 1960s found in Scots river raises plastic pollution fears

A crisp packet dating from the 1960s was found in a river raising fears over plastic pollution.

Sick Scots farmer poisoned multiple birds of prey to 'protect' own flock

Golden Wonder crisp packet from 1960s found in Scots river raises plastic pollution fears

Scots villlage under attack by thousands of bees as locals 'flee for lives'

Boy in hospital after 'huge' explosion at Scots industrial estate

Killer of Scots banker Alistair Wilson 'may have hidden in bandstand watching police' before getaway

Top pathologist backs calls to exhume Scots toddler's body and prove she was murdered

Scots prison boss says 'no plans' to increase cell searches amid rise in drug finds

Wealthy American YouTube family ditch US mansion for fresh start in Scots countryside

'At least 500' disposable vapes chucked away on Scots beauty spot spark outcry

Man dies in 'stabbing' in Scots street as teenager rushed to hospital

Adorable endangered baby monkey born at Scots zoo as staff share 'happiness'

Frantic search launched for missing Scots man who vanished overnight

Scots man rushed to hospital following 'stabbing' outside village pub

Police issue appeal to trace Scots woman last seen leaving hospital

Scots mum 'unable to sleep' as bed bugs terrorise young family

Scots pro gamer from Glasgow up for major award for sustainable gaming plan

Sewage dump fears mean 3 in 4 Scots less likely to wild swim, new poll finds

Fed up Scots tenant feels 'penalised' for owning cats in 'nightmare' flat hunt

Missing Scots pensioner with dementia tracked down in woodland by police dog

Scots painter fined £750 for acting aggressively toward woman he met on dating app

Scots mum forced to use food bank after JustEat refused to refund cancelled order

Popular Celebrities