Shropshire gamekeeper cleared of trapping wild birds

Neil Gordon Wainwright, of Norbury, near Bishop's Castle, had been accused of using a metal Larsen trap - designed to catch magpies, crows and jays - in a bid to catch wild birds at Birch Hill Wood in Gatten, near the Stiperstones.

The 55-year-old had denied charges of using a trap to kill or take a wild bird, possessing an article capable of being used to commit an offence, and failing to take steps to ensure that the needs of an animal were met.

The offences were said to have taken place between July 21 and July 31 last year.

But at Telford Magistrates Court today, district judge Kevin Grego found Mr Wainwright not guilty of all three counts after ruling covert video evidence captured by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds was not admissible as evidence.