Man sentenced for poisoning birds of prey in Scotland

His actions, branded “shockingly irresponsible” by prosecutors, led to the deaths of five red kites and 10 rooks

Barry Nicolle’s actions led to the deaths of five red kites (PA)

An exotic bird breeder has been sentenced for poisoning multiple birds of prey in what is believed to be the first case of its kind in Scotland.

Barry Nicolle, 67, of near Castle Douglas, Dumfries and Galloway, will have to complete 216 hours of unpaid work after he admitted lacing duck meat with banned pesticides and leaving it out on his land for scavengers in a bid to protect his own collection of prized waterfowl.