A gamekeeper has been found guilty of attempting to illegally trap and kill birds of prey.

Glenn Brown was convicted yesterday at Chesterfield and North East Derbyshire Magistrate’s Court following a 10-day trial.

He was found guilty of seven offences under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, relating to the unlawful use of a cage trap on a grouse shooting estate in the Upper Derwent Valley.

The 39-year-old was sentenced to 100 hours' community service and ordered to pay £10,000 costs.

Brown, of Derwent, Bamford, was originally arrested by Derbyshire police in May 2010, following a covert surveillance operation by an RSPB investigations team, who filmed him using a cage trap baited with a live domestic pigeon.

Although cage traps are legal in certain circumstances for predator control, it is unlawful both to use a pigeon as bait and to capture birds of prey.

Wildlife officer Sergeant Darren Belfield said: “I hope this conviction reflects our commitment to tackle rural crime in Derbyshire.

“We established Operation Moorwatch in 2009 to reduce all forms of rural crime, including wildlife crime, illegal off-roading and thefts.”

Mark Thomas, RSPB investigations officer, said: "We welcome this conviction as it sends a clear message that bird of prey persecution remains a serious and orchestrated crime, which continues to steal from society at large.

“It is vital that Government and the police lead a renewed and concerted effort to protect birds of prey.

“Glenn Brown’s illegal actions have damaged the reputations of both his employer and of the game shooting industry in general."