West Mercia CPS Takes Action to Protect Endangered Tortoises

14/05/2009

Following a successful prosecution, CPS West Mercia today obtained a court order preventing Telford man David Neville Johnson from possessing any critically endangered species. This is the first time a prosecution and prevention order has been made in r

Shrewsbury Crown Advocate, Robert Edwards who dealt with the case said
The Law on endangered species seeks to protect and conserve creatures and habitats for the benefit of the environment

David Johnson illegally traded in endangered tortoises for financial gain and continued to do so after being arrested.

This was a successful prosecution and I hope the fact that we have sought and won an order preventing him from continuing with his activities will serve as a warning to others.

I would like to thank West Mercia Police and the National Wildlife Crime Unit for all their help in bringing about this successful outcome

David Neville Johnson was convicted on one offence of using a false document to obtain a permit,  six offences of illegally selling an endangered species and one offence of illegally purchasing endangered species. The offences relate to the trade of spur-thighed and Hermanns tortoises.

He was sentenced to eight months in prison in respect of these offences.