Poacher fined for killing stag

A poacher has been fined for killing a deer in the close season at Bosley.

Gwierydd Williams, 54, of Queens Drive, Biddulph, was found guilty and fined after a trial on January 9 at Stockport Magistrates Court of killing a red deer stag in the close season.

Williams shot the deer in a field off Brooks Lane, Bosley, on May 24, 2017, and claimed that he had done so as the stag was in distress due to an injury to its rear leg.

However, witnesses who confronted Williams at the scene disputed this and Williams was found guilty and fined £1293.

PC Ric Walker, who is part of Cheshire Constabulary’s rural and wildlife crime unit, said: “The guilty verdict and fine, sends a clear message to anyone thinking of committing this kind of offence. We have specially trained officers who have the skills and knowledge to pursue those who commit rural and wildlife crimes.

“We are also very grateful to the witnesses who came forward to report the crime and confronted Williams whilst he was putting the deer in the back of a 4×4.

“If anyone witnesses anything similar or suspicious then please contact Cheshire Constabulary on 101, or 999 if it is an emergency.”