Woman slapped with £550 court bill for killing three young swallows
THEY were destined to fly to Africa in one nature’s greatest flights but these baby birds were left to perish on the ground by a mindless wildlife vandal.
These baby birds were left to perish on the ground by a mindless wildlife vandal
Eileen Spencer killed the three young swallows by smashing their nest outside her home with a metal pole.
The 62 year old climbed a ladder to get at the nest before the birds had chance to grow their flight feathers and head south for the winter.
Her callous attack has cost her dearly after magistrates in Colchester, Essex, landed her with a hefty £550 court bill.
Spencer attacked the nest outside her home in Wethersfield Road, Colchester, in June, and later the three blind and featherless young birds were found helpless on her driveway.
Eileen Spencer killed the three young swallows by smashing their nest outside her home
They were laying next to the smashed nest and were so cold they later died.
Swallows are protected under law and perform an incredible but fraught migration from Britain to South Africa each autumn, returning the following spring to nest often inside or close to buildings.
The three blind and featherless young birds were found helpless on her driveway
In court, Spencer admitted her actions were “impulsive”, but RSPCA Inspector Caroline Richardson described them as “horrifying”.
After the case, Inspector Richardson said: “It was shocking to find a nest destroyed in this way. This is the first case that I have come across of this nature.
It was horrifying someone would want to cause harm to baby birds in this cruel way
"It was horrifying someone would want to cause harm to baby birds in this cruel way.
“These nestlings were so tiny and fragile they didn’t even have their eyes open. They should be protected not harmed.”
RSPCA Inspector Caroline Richardson described the situation as 'horrifying'
“This sentence sends out a clear message that wildlife crimes are taken seriously, and that all wild birds and their nests that are in use or being built are protected.”
Spencer admitted destroying a nest contrary to the Wildlife and Countryside Act and was given a conditional discharge as well as being ordered to pay £515 costs.