Author Archives: Alex Milne

I am going to cover some of the areas in several blogs posted on the Law section of the university website. I am not going to cover all of the content of the blogs, just a selection with which I … Continue reading →

Note This is subject to change, as are all posts, where errors are detected. History. My MSP was contacted by the Cabinet secretary for the Environment, Climate and Land Reform committee (EECLRC) suggesting that I could contact the Crown Office … Continue reading →

The present wording is: The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 be amended by adding in a Section 19B entitled “Admissibility of evidence in Scotland”: “In any proceedings in Scotland for any offence under Part 1 there shall be a presumption … Continue reading →

To determine if the Special constables in the Cairngorms National Park could set covert cameras on illegal traps. Summary. I have examined the law in Scotland on this matter. The police could not apply for authorisation to set a covert … Continue reading →

The petition is now classed as open on the government website at   Petition PE01705 I now need to collect signatures which I had hoped to avoid so please go to the website and sign the petition if you agree with … Continue reading →

The petition is now open today 16th August 2018, and is online at : Petition PE01705 I had originally asked that I would not collect signatures, but would allow comments on the petition. This apparently cannot be done, so people … Continue reading →

This is one of a series of posts about specific parts of the areas which will be covered in the submission to the committee(s) if my petition reaches that stage. It is not intended even to be a draft section, … Continue reading →

Please understand that I am not seeking to undermine the independence of the Scottish Justice system, and will take no action which leads to that. The petition does not this aim either, and will not mention much of the contents … Continue reading →

First I will repeat that I have no legal qualifications. I actively seek comments which would allow me to correct the statements I make here about the law and it’s interpretation. This post cannot form part of my submission to … Continue reading →

First I will repeat that I have no legal qualifications. I actively seek comments which would allow me to correct the statements I make here about the law and it’s interpretation. This post cannot form part of my submission to any … Continue reading →

I was contacted yesterday (Wednesday 18th July) by one of the civil servants about the content of the petition which confirmed that I would be receiving their suggestions about the petition shortly. Things are probably moving forward. I will not … Continue reading →

I have been had several helpful replies to my emails. When I started the blog it was just a wish to publicise the petition which seemed to be dragging on. My researches (o.k. a google search) uncovered that the Poustie … Continue reading →

I first decided to set up this website yeterday as I had been waiting what I thought was a long time. I was also concerned about the possibility that the Poustie report would reach the Scottish Parliament. I googled for … Continue reading →

Wildlife and Countryside Act  1981. (WCA) Section 1 is titled. “Protection of wild birds, their nests and eggs”, and is the likely Act under which a prosecution would take place. Section 19 of the WCA says “A constable who enters any land … Continue reading →

When I submitted the petition I did not know about the video evidence of a possible offence on Tillypronie Estate. This information came into the public domain on Monday 2nd April 2018 in an article published by the Guardian This fits … Continue reading →

In 2014/15 George Mutch was convicted and imprisoned for killing a Goshawk and other offences whilst employed as a gamekeeper on the Kildrummy estate in Aberdeenshire. There was no vicarious liability conviction associated with this crime, most likely due to … Continue reading →

Timeline August 2012 George Mutch seen on a concealed camera placed by the RSPB killing Goshawk and committing other offences. January 2013, written by DI Nevin Hunter NWCU“The concerns I have about several recent and ongoing cases of raptor persecution … Continue reading →

Video evidence has been available which could have been used as corroboration on at least 2 occasions, and at least one other is known about the fate of which is unknown. The COPFS in conjunction with the Crown Office did … Continue reading →

At present there is a report available from a Review Group which was set up in the context of a Ministerial commitment to enhance the enforcement of wildlife crime particularly in relation to the level of penalties imposed. The Group, … Continue reading →