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Bird egg thief returned to jail Bird egg thief returned to jail
(30 minutes later)
A man once described as Britain's most convicted wild egg collector has been jailed for six months.A man once described as Britain's most convicted wild egg collector has been jailed for six months.
Gregory Wheal, 44, of Isambard Drive, Longford, Coventry, admitted possessing raven and peregrine falcon eggs at a previous hearing in the city.Gregory Wheal, 44, of Isambard Drive, Longford, Coventry, admitted possessing raven and peregrine falcon eggs at a previous hearing in the city.
He has eight previous convictions for egg theft and this is his second prison sentence. Wheal has eight previous convictions for egg theft and this is his second prison sentence.
Magistrates did not impose an Anti-Social Behaviour Order which would stop him visiting nesting sites. Magistrates rejected an application for an Anti-Social Behaviour Order which would stop him visiting nesting sites.
Wheal has also pleaded guilty to owning egg collection equipment. Wheal had also pleaded guilty at Coventry Magistrates' Court to owning egg collection equipment.
Eggs 'left over'Eggs 'left over'
The court heard that Wheal, whose convictions stretch back to 1987, was arrested after four peregrine falcon eggs and six ravens' eggs were found in a bedroom at his home last June.The court heard that Wheal, whose convictions stretch back to 1987, was arrested after four peregrine falcon eggs and six ravens' eggs were found in a bedroom at his home last June.
Climbing irons were also found although Wheal, who represented himself in court, said he had not used them for many years. These peregerine falcon eggs were found in Wheal's bedroomClimbing irons were also found although Wheal, who represented himself in court, said he had not used them for many years.
He also denied collecting eggs since his last conviction, although he thought the application for an Asbo was "very good".He also denied collecting eggs since his last conviction, although he thought the application for an Asbo was "very good".
The Crown Prosecution Service applied for a Criminal Anti-Social Behaviour Order - these are the same as other Anti-Social Behvaviour Orders but are applied for on the back of a criminal conviction. The Crown Prosecution Service had applied for a Criminal Anti-Social Behaviour Order, which are the same as other Asbos but are applied for on the back of a criminal conviction.
"I would like to say that I am very sorry for what I have done," Wheal told the court."I would like to say that I am very sorry for what I have done," Wheal told the court.
"These eggs were left over from the previous raid.""These eggs were left over from the previous raid."
'Completely obsessive''Completely obsessive'
Sentencing him, chairman of the bench Richard Dawe, said he was of the opinion that custody was the only way of dealing with him.Sentencing him, chairman of the bench Richard Dawe, said he was of the opinion that custody was the only way of dealing with him.
"Previous orders of the court have not stopped you reoffending and offences of this nature cause offence to a large section of society."Previous orders of the court have not stopped you reoffending and offences of this nature cause offence to a large section of society.
"You were clearly aware of the law but you have shown a blatant and persistent disregard for it.""You were clearly aware of the law but you have shown a blatant and persistent disregard for it."
Mark Thomas, investigations officer for the RSPC, said some egg collectors were "completely obsessive".Mark Thomas, investigations officer for the RSPC, said some egg collectors were "completely obsessive".
"We are disappointed an Asbo has not been granted, but it won't stop us from trying to obtain one in future cases."We are disappointed an Asbo has not been granted, but it won't stop us from trying to obtain one in future cases.
"We just hope this will be a final straw with Mr Wheal and that he makes a decision to give up collecting eggs.""We just hope this will be a final straw with Mr Wheal and that he makes a decision to give up collecting eggs."
Wheal was previously jailed for four months in January 2006 for similar offences.Wheal was previously jailed for four months in January 2006 for similar offences.