Derbyshire Wildlife Criminal Jailed for Stealing Peregrine Falcon Eggs

A Derbyshire wildlife criminal has been jailed for stealing peregrine falcon eggs from a nest.

Christopher Wheeldon, 34, of Wheatley Gardens, Two Dales, Matlock, admitted offences of taking the eggs of a wild bird and disturbing the nesting site of a protected bird when he appeared at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates' Court on Monday, 15th January 2024.

Wheeldon also admitted four offences of shop theft.

Taking the eggs of a wild bird is an offence under section 1 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. The maximum penalty on summary conviction is 6 months' custody and/or an unlimited fine for each offence.

Covert cameras had been installed at Bolsover Moor Quarry, the site of the peregrine nest, by RSPB investigators.

The court heard that heroin addict Wheeldon, whose employment includes tree surgery in addition to criminality, was recorded stealing the eggs on Sunday, 23rd April 2023.

The footage showed the father-of-two gaining access to the nest by abseiling down a cliff face. He was assisted by an accomplice, who remained at the top of the cliff, but has not yet been identified.

Lynn Bickley, prosecuting, said: "Just after 4 pm the peregrines can be seen and heard 'alarm calling' with the female on the nest turning her head and looking upwards.

"A green rope comes into view and Mr Wheeldon can be seen carrying a box and an insulated bag.

"He reaches into the nest three times, puts the eggs in the box and the box in the insulated bag.

"He then calls up 'pull' to someone who is above him. The two peregrines can still be heard alarm calling and remained at the site until 12.10 pm the following day."

Footage of the theft was handed to the police, who quickly identified Wheeldon as the perpetrator. A subsequent search of his property yielded the climbing equipment used.

Clare James, mitigating, said: "There is nothing I can say in relation to the offence in terms of mitigation. He abseiled down the cliff to get the eggs and he says he can't give an explanation why he did it himself."

District Judge Stephen Flint, sentencing, was distinctly unimpressed at Wheeldon's crimes.

Addressing the defendant, he said: "It seems even the birds are not beyond your thieving grasp.

"You may see them simply as eggs for profit but this causes damage to the environment and it is a deplorable thing to do.

"In your state, hanging off anything, whether it's a quarry wall or a tree, is not the best thing to do."

Wheeldon was jailed for 18 weeks.

Listening to the Judge's comments, it sounds like he absolutely has the measure of Wheeldon.