A man from Scotland, who was found guilty of illegally selling peregrine falcon chicks, has been instructed to repay a total of £27,000, the amount he garnered from the transactions. Lewis Hall, aged 24, conducted sales of these wild birds of prey, which had been taken from their natural habitats, from his residence for prices reaching up to £25,700. Hall’s involvement in this illegal activity was uncovered through DNA evidence extracted from the nests of the birds, ultimately tracing back to him.
Earlier this year, Hall was subjected to legal proceedings at Jedburgh Sheriff Court, where he was sentenced to perform 150 hours of unpaid work across 15 months. Furthermore, he was prohibited from owning or controlling any bird of prey for a period of five years. The repayment amount demanded from Hall was calculated based on the court’s assessment of his available resources. Official records indicate that Hall acknowledged benefitting from illicit activities by approximately £110,000.
Authorities have the authority to seek an extension of the repayment order in order to seize any money or assets Hall may acquire in the future to cover the full sum obtained from his unlawful actions. Deputy Procurator Fiscal for specialist casework at the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS), Sineidin Corrins, highlighted the profitability of selling peregrine falcons and how Hall exploited this for personal gain to the detriment of the local peregrine falcon population.
Police were alerted by a member of the Lothian and Borders Raptor Study Group in April 2021 regarding suspicious disturbances at peregrine falcon nests in the Berwickshire area. Subsequent investigations revealed tampering at two nesting sites, where eggs were reported missing. A search at Hall’s father’s residence led to the discovery of seven peregrine falcon chicks and other birds of prey. Further inquiries confirmed that these birds, sought after for racing in the Middle East, were not captive-born but rather captured from the wild.
It is important to note that while it is lawful to sell captive-bred peregrine falcons, possessing or trading wild birds is considered illegal under existing legislation. The recovered funds from Hall will be included in the Proceeds of Crime collections, which will be reinvested back into the community by the Scottish Ministers through the CashBack for Communities scheme. Action taken against financial crimes extends beyond criminal prosecution and sentencing, ensuring that the illicit gains are reclaimed and utilized for community benefit.
In conclusion, the case of Lewis Hall sheds light on the impact of illegal wildlife trade and the measures in place to hold perpetrators accountable, safeguarding vulnerable species in the process.