Man found Guilty at Copperhouse Creek

Following disturbance to ‘wintering birds’ at Copperhouse Creek, Hayle Estuary in January 2008 by Mr Marlon Adams whose dogs were allowed to chase the birds on the estuary, Natural England with assistance from Devon and Cornwall Police and the RSPB, have brought a successful prosecution against Mr Adams under the Wildlife & Countryside Act as amended (1981). ‘Wintering birds’ are a Feature of the Hayle Estuary SSSI and Mr Adams was found guilty of “reckless disturbance” and fined £250 with £250 costs. This was a landmark case for Natural England and the first of its kind under the SSSI provisions. For the full story click on the link:

http://blogs.rspb.org.uk/investigations/archive/2009/03/20/_2700_A-first-for-Britain_2700_-on-the-Hayle-Estuary.aspx