Prosecution for crimes against bats in Humberside

On 8th January 2015 Dr Anthony Flinn aged 56yrs of Wroot, Humberside appeared before Lincolnshire Magistrates Court where he pleaded not guilty to destroying a bat roost and a swallows nest at his home address.

Dr Flinn wished to undertake work at his property that included the demolition of outbuildings, he was asked to provide a bat survey in support of his planning permission and this evidenced the existence of a roost used by Myotis bats. An occupied swallow's nest was also found. Dr Flinn was informed of the results of the survey but nevertheless demolished the buildings suggesting that they had to be demolished as they were unsafe.

The court returned guilty verdicts and Dr Flinn was fined £500 for destroying the roost, ordered to pay £600 costs and to pay a victim surcharge of £50. He was fined £100 for destroying the swallows nest.

BCT provided the court with evidence that dealing with the roost lawfully could have cost several thousand pounds and therefore have reservations as to how dissuasive the sentence in this case will prove to be. However this sentence is undoubtedly more realistic than the last such case heard in Humberside where a developer was fined just £35 for destroying each of seven confirmed roosts.

We would wish to place on record our thanks to all those involved in the investigation and prosecution of this matter.

Further information about Bat Crime available HERE

Contact: Joe Nunez jnunez-mino@bats.org.uk or 0207 820 7168 for more information, images and interviews. (Out of hours: 07984 545 531)