Colchester man caught with fridge full of dead birds and foxes
He was using the animal carcasses to catch more wildlife
An Essex man was found with a fridge full of animal carcasses and equipment he was using to try and catch other wildlife – despite already being banned from keeping animals. David Thompson has avoided jail after breaching a disqualification order related to keeping foxes.
The 55-year-old of Harwich Road, Colchester, was sentenced on February 5 at Colchester Magistrates’ Court. Previously, Thompson had been found guilty following a trial of breaching a three-year disqualification order made by Chelmsford Magistrates Court in April 2021 in relation to a fox or foxes by owning, keeping or being party to an arrangement under which he was entitled to control or influence the way in which foxes were kept.
The defendant was convicted of offences in relation to foxes, ferrets, and other wildlife in April 2021, while he was rescuing and rehabilitating wildlife. The RSPCA had received reports and evidence of the defendant being involved in wildlife once again – despite his ban – and as a result, Essex police, working with the RSPCA, executed a search warrant at the defendant’s home in May 2023.
Evidence was found in a freezer of animal carcasses, including birds and foxes and other dead wildlife, and equipment used to catch wild animals. Thompson said in mitigation that he was suffering with his mental health and should have complied with the order. He was handed an 18-week prison sentence suspended for 18 months and banned from keeping all animals for 10 years – he was also ordered to pay £3,500 costs and £154 victim surcharge.
Speaking after the case RSPCA Inspector Emma Beynon, who investigated, said: “We are grateful to Essex police for all their help and support in this case. I hope that now he has been sentenced by the court again the defendant will learn his lesson and not be involved in the rescuing of wildlife which he clearly is unable to look after properly.”
