A SCOTTISH gamekeeper has pleaded guilty in Jedburgh Sheriff Court to setting 23 illegal snares.

The prosecution arose after a member of the public tipped off the League Against Cruel Sports about the use of the snares in Henlaw Wood, on the Longformacus Estate in Berwickshire, where gamekeeper Alan Wilson lives and works.

The 60-year-old also pleaded guilty to nine charges, including the use illegal snares and possession of two bottles of the lethal pesticide carbofuran, and the shooting and killing of two goshawks, three buzzards, three badgers and an otter between March 2016 and May 2017. He was the sole gamekeeper for the estate where he lived with his partner. He had previously worked as a gamekeeper in France for 10 years before moving to Scotland

In a report on the findings, David Anderson, an employee of Forestry and Land Scotland - but testifying in a private capacity -  said: “In 40 years working in wildlife management I have never seen so many protected species dead in such a small area.”

Sheriff Peter Paterson told Mr Wilson: “These charges are serious and numerous and before I decide on an appropriate sentence I will need a report to see what sentencing options are open to me. Society, whatever you may think, takes a dim view on this.”

Chairman of Scottish Land and Estates, David Johnstone, said: “Wildlife crime of any kind is absolutely unacceptable and those who undertake such reckless acts should feel the full force of the law. This conviction shows that wildlife crimes can successfully be investigated and prosecuted. We would like to see additional resources and training for police to increase the chances of successful detection and prosecution. We support new sanctions being made available to courts to deter wildlife crime.

“In this case, the estate acted swiftly by first suspending and then terminating the employment of the staff member who has now pleaded guilty to wildlife crime. The estate, which was being managed for low ground pheasant shooting, is fully aware of its legal responsibilities and continues to take advice to ensure its compliance procedures are as robust as possible.”

Mr Wilson will be sentenced next month.