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Deer DNA used for first time in UK to prosecute poacher | Deer DNA used for first time in UK to prosecute poacher |
(about 1 hour later) | |
DNA from a red deer has been used for the first time in the UK to help prosecute a poacher. | DNA from a red deer has been used for the first time in the UK to help prosecute a poacher. |
James Kennedy, 70, illegally shot and killed and then removed a deer from the Glenfinnan Estate in Lochaber. | James Kennedy, 70, illegally shot and killed and then removed a deer from the Glenfinnan Estate in Lochaber. |
He claimed to having shot it lawfully at another location, but scientists matched a blood stain in his van to remains he had left on the estate. | He claimed to having shot it lawfully at another location, but scientists matched a blood stain in his van to remains he had left on the estate. |
Kennedy was fined £100 and ordered to pay compensation of £70 at Fort William Sheriff Court on Tuesday. | Kennedy was fined £100 and ordered to pay compensation of £70 at Fort William Sheriff Court on Tuesday. |
He had earlier pled guilty to killing the deer, gralloching it - removing its internal organs, head and lower legs - and taking the carcass away. | He had earlier pled guilty to killing the deer, gralloching it - removing its internal organs, head and lower legs - and taking the carcass away. |
The incident happened near Glenfinnan on 2 February last year. | The incident happened near Glenfinnan on 2 February last year. |
Police, who had been alerted to a suspected poacher by members of West Lochaber Deer Management Group, stopped Kennedy's van and asked him about the deer carcass in the back of the vehicle. | Police, who had been alerted to a suspected poacher by members of West Lochaber Deer Management Group, stopped Kennedy's van and asked him about the deer carcass in the back of the vehicle. |
Because Kennedy said it had been shot at another location with the landowner's consent police had no reason to detain him. | Because Kennedy said it had been shot at another location with the landowner's consent police had no reason to detain him. |
But two days later the head of a red deer hind and other body parts were found at Druim na Brein-choille on Glenfinnan Estate. | But two days later the head of a red deer hind and other body parts were found at Druim na Brein-choille on Glenfinnan Estate. |
Samples of the deer heart and deer hair were taken to the Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture laboratory in Edinburgh for examination. | Samples of the deer heart and deer hair were taken to the Science and Advice for Scottish Agriculture laboratory in Edinburgh for examination. |
A search warrant was later obtained to search Kennedy's van and a blood stain was found on a metal tray in the rear of the van. | A search warrant was later obtained to search Kennedy's van and a blood stain was found on a metal tray in the rear of the van. |
SASA scientists working with the University of Edinburgh and Royal Zoological Society of Scotland found a match. | SASA scientists working with the University of Edinburgh and Royal Zoological Society of Scotland found a match. |
The Crown Office said the probability of these DNA profiles matching by chance alone was one in 40 million. | The Crown Office said the probability of these DNA profiles matching by chance alone was one in 40 million. |
It said this was first time that DNA profiling has been used to detect deer poaching. | It said this was first time that DNA profiling has been used to detect deer poaching. |
Sara Shaw, a procurator fiscal specialising in wildlife and environment, said the investigation and prosecution had been a joint effort involving SASA, police and specialist prosecutors from the Wildlife and Environmental Crime Unit. | Sara Shaw, a procurator fiscal specialising in wildlife and environment, said the investigation and prosecution had been a joint effort involving SASA, police and specialist prosecutors from the Wildlife and Environmental Crime Unit. |
She said: "This conviction represents a highly significant step forward in the fight against wildlife crime. | She said: "This conviction represents a highly significant step forward in the fight against wildlife crime. |
"Those who flout our wildlife law will be brought to account for their criminal activity." | "Those who flout our wildlife law will be brought to account for their criminal activity." |
Ch Insp Colin Gough, Highland and Islands Division wildlife crime co-ordinator at Police Scotland, said: "It is a ground-breaking step forward from a policing perspective to be able to employ new scientific developments to allow cases such as this to be solved. | Ch Insp Colin Gough, Highland and Islands Division wildlife crime co-ordinator at Police Scotland, said: "It is a ground-breaking step forward from a policing perspective to be able to employ new scientific developments to allow cases such as this to be solved. |
"Very often, poaching goes unreported and investigations can be complex and pro-longed." | "Very often, poaching goes unreported and investigations can be complex and pro-longed." |
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