A FATHER and son who intentionally disturbed the nests of rare birds in Perthshire and elsewhere in Scotland appeared in an English court this week and received suspended jail terms—and fines of £1500 each.

Clive Lingard (60) and son Jonathon (33) appeared at Redditch Magistrates Court in the West Midlands for sentencing, having pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to 12 counts of intentional disturbance of wild birds in Scotland in 2002-2003.

They were fined £1500 each in relation to the disturbance of a white-tailed eagle on the Outer Hebrides in 2002 (plus costs of £750 each).

For the other offences committed in 2003 and relating to disturbing golden eagle, white-tailed eagle, dotterel, merlin and hen harrier at locations in Perthshire, Mull and the Uists, they each received a concurrent six-week custodial sentence, suspended for two years.

This is the first time a custodial sentence (albeit suspended) has been handed out for disturbance in Scotland.

“Nest disturbance is incredibly stressful to birds and can be as damaging to fragile populations as egg theft,” RSPB Scotland’s Dave Dick said. “These suspended jail terms and hefty fines reflect the seriousness of these crimes. The court has sent out a strong message to anyone thinking of coming to Scotland intentionally to disturb our magnificent eagles and other wild birds.”