Man charged in relation to Suffolk goshawk killings

A 72-year-old man has been charged with offences in relation to the discovery of five dead Northern Goshawks in Suffolk earlier this year.

The birds were found on Monday 16 January, having been left in a parking area just off from the B1106 in Kings Forest, near Wordwell. X-rays were undertaken which showed all five birds had suffered injuries from multiple pieces of shot.

Four of the dead Northern Goshawks (Suffolk Police).

Officers arrested a 72-year-old man on 27 March in relation to the discovery of the goshawks and on suspicion of breaching firearms license conditions. He was taken to Bury St Edmunds Police Investigation Centre for questioning, before being released under investigation.

Francis Addison, 72, from South Park, Weeting, has subsequently been charged with five counts of possession of a dead Schedule 1 wild bird (Notherrn Goshawk); one count of killing a non-Schedule 1 wild bird (Woodpigeon); one count of use of an animal trap in circumstance for which it is not approved; two counts of possession of an article capable of being used to commit a summary offence, namely two air rifles and six animal traps; six counts of failing to comply with the conditions of a firearm certificate; and four counts of failing to comply with the condition of a shotgun certificate.

Addison is due to appear at Norwich Magistrates' Court on Thursday 29 June.