Farmer guilty of disturbing osprey nest
News
A 59-year-old man has been found guilty of disturbing an osprey nest in Keswick, Cumbria on 13 June 2017.
Paul Barnes used his tractor to tow a trailer of people into the field where the osprey was nesting at his farm near Bassenthwaite Lake, Keswick
The two adult birds left the nest as a result of the disturbance and only returned when the people had left.
Rachel Parker for the CPS said: "Paul Barnes was well aware that the site of the osprey's nest was vulnerable and that it was against the law to disturb them.
"We have presented a strong case of evidence to the court, proving that he disregarded the law and the safety of the birds by bringing a group of people to the site, which has resulted in him being found guilty of the offences."
Notes to editors
- Rachel Parker is a Senior Crown Prosecutor for CPS North West
- Paul Barnes was found guilty of two charges of disturbing the nesting site of a Schedule 1 wild bird at Workington Magistrates' court on 15 August 2018.
- He was fined £300, ordered to pay £2,000 costs and a £30 Victim Surcharge.