A former school biology teacher was caught with an illegal taxidermy collection, when a potential buyer saw images of her home on property website Zoopla.
Susan Tate, 57, from Newborough, Anglesey, said she had had a lifelong interest in taxidermy and did not know the items were illegal.
This is an unusual case and one very few Magistrates' Courts will ever come across. For that reason we won't be delving any deeper into the relevant legislation, other than to say that certain stuffed animals cannot be kept unless they have been correctly processed, registered and are of traceable origin.
In response to information received, North Wales Police obtained a warrant to search Tate's Bryn Rhedyn home. During the search, which took place in February 2019, the police found four illegal exhibits: a eurasian red squirrel, large blue butterfly, Scottish wild cat and porpoise skull.
A BBC Crimewatch crew were present at the time of the search.
Tate admitted that she had the illegal items in her possession. Given the substantial prosecution costs in this case, it would appear that she has only pleaded guilty on the day of her trial.
Speaking outside Caernarfon Magistrates' Court, Tate said: "I think they could have dealt with it differently.
"I don't even think they needed a search warrant.
"They could have knocked on the door and I would have let them in. I am from a police family."
Sarah Marsh, prosecuting, told Magistrates that a caution had been considered at first, but a decision was taken to prosecute when multiple offences were uncovered.
Adrian Roberts, mitigating, said police had searched the property because they wrongly believed a stuffed wolf was there.
He said: "The porpoise skull she found on a beach in Dorset some years ago.
"She didn't know it was illegal to own it.
"She had no idea when she received three packages of butterflies, one was illegal. The red squirrel she paid £40 for on eBay."
Mr Roberts said his client had been "blissfully ignorant" of any wrongdoing but had since discovered the dead squirrel may have come from a French market stall.
The displayed wild cat was inherited from her late mother.
The lawyer said she had been astonished to find herself in trouble.
Tate was fined £56 on each of the four charges and ordered to pay £650 towards prosecution costs and £30 victim surcharge.
Rob Taylor, of North Wales Police rural crime team, said after the case: "We hope this case will raise awareness to other members of the public of the risks of purchasing or collecting such items from auction sites and the possible consequences."
Using a sledgehammer to crack a nut is a phrase that immediately springs to mind.
Was it really necessary and proportionate to obtain a warrant to search Tate's home given that she was making no secret of the fact she possessed the illicit items? Was it really necessary to prosecute a woman of previous good character over family heirlooms and items she acquired in good faith?
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