Scott Milne, 42, from Helland near Bodmin in Cornwall appeared before Bodmin Magistrates Court today and admitted wilfully killing 28 badgers and being in possession of 37 dead badgers. He also admitted failing to store firearms securely.

Milne had shot 28 badgers and kept their carcasses in freezers at his home and in an industrial unit. Most of the remaining badgers were found to have injuries consistent with being involved in a road traffic collision. Milne, who was licensed to shoot badgers during the cull season intended to be paid for the animals by submitting them as part of the authorised badger cull. The shot badgers had been killed outside the cull period.

Police, Cornwall Council, Natural England and the Animal and Plant Health Agency were involved in the July 25th raid. The Fire Service also attended as canisters of a vermin control substance were discovered which were not being properly kept,

Milne, who has featured in Sporting Shooter magazine and on the Field Sports Channel was given an 18-week prison sentence suspended for 12 months. He must also carry out 150 hours of unpaid work and pay a £122 victim surcharge and £200 costs. A deprivation order was also made in relation to the weapons and ammunition being taken away.

Further details of this disturbing case can be found here and here.