“A gamekeeper found guilty of killing a rare bird and setting traps illegally to capture others has been jailed for four months.

George Mutch, 48, of Kildrummy, denied recklessly killing or injuring a goshawk and illegally taking away another goshawk and a buzzard in 2012.

Mutch was found guilty of four charges at Aberdeen Sheriff Court.

Mutch is believed to be the first gamekeeper in Scotland to have been jailed for such an offence.

The case was also one of the first times in Scotland that hidden camera footage, obtained by the RSPB, had been used to prosecute wildlife crime.

Sheriff Noel McPartlin said the persecution of wild birds was a “huge problem”.

He said: “Having regard to the gravity of the offence, I am of the view that there is no other method of dealing with you which is appropriate to this case other than the imposition of a custodial sentence.”

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Source: BBC news