By Staff Reporter

Last updated at 13:54, Tuesday, 06 July 2010

A man who stopped a wildlife inspector examining his birds of prey has been fined by a court.

Brian Miller, 51, of Hayton, near Aspatria, denied obstructing an authorised person during a trial at Carlisle Magistrates’ Court.

But magistrates found him guilty, telling him his evidence was neither credible nor consistent.

Steven Eastmead, a wildlife inspector, tried to gain entry to Miller’s property for an unannounced visit in October.

Miller had come to the attention of the Animal Health section of DEFRA because he had allegedly sold two eagle owls but animal health had no records of him as a bird keeper.

Miller told the court he had been suspicious of Mr Eastmead and doubted he was a genuine inspector.

He was fined £50 and ordered to pay £300 in court costs and a £15 victim surcharge.

First published at 11:25, Tuesday, 06 July 2010
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk