James Kempster, a 39-year-old roofer from Totton, Hampshire, was acquitted of criminal damage charges but convicted of possessing two protected birds after an incident in Broughton. Magistrates found that while DNA evidence linked him to the carcasses of a barn owl and kestrel, there was insufficient proof to connect him to the dumping of 50 dead hares outside Broughton Community Shop on March 15, 2024.
Key Takeaways
James Kempster was found not guilty of dumping 50 dead hares and two birds outside a Hampshire village shop but convicted of possessing protected bird carcasses.
- Magistrates cleared Kempster of criminal damage due to insufficient evidence linking him to the CCTV footage.
- DNA evidence confirmed his possession of a barn owl and kestrel, leading to convictions under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.
- The incident occurred on March 15, 2024, causing distress in Broughton village.
- Kempster will be sentenced for bird possession on June 23.
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▼Source Claims Check
1 Difference FoundAll 3 publishers report consistent facts across 4 key claims. 1 point of difference noted.
| Claim | Status | Reason | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vehicle Used In Incident | 1 Difference | Daily Mail and Guardian specify distance as around 3.5 miles; BBC reports it as 'a few miles'. | ▼ |
| Incident Date | Broad Agreement | March 15, 2024 at Broughton Community Shop | |
| Number Of Hares Dumped | Broad Agreement | 50 dead hares were dumped outside the shop. | |
| Dna Evidence | Broad Agreement | Kempster's DNA found on both birds. | |
| Sentencing Date For Bird Possession | Broad Agreement | Sentencing on June 23. |
Vehicle Used In Incident
▼Daily Mail and Guardian specify distance as around 3.5 miles; BBC reports it as 'a few miles'.
Incident Date
Broad AgreementMarch 15, 2024 at Broughton Community Shop
Number Of Hares Dumped
Broad Agreement50 dead hares were dumped outside the shop.
Dna Evidence
Broad AgreementKempster's DNA found on both birds.
Sentencing Date For Bird Possession
Broad AgreementSentencing on June 23.
This analysis is AI-generated and may not perfectly represent each source's reporting. Always read the original articles for full context.
The court heard how three men in balaclavas unloaded animals at the shop early that morning, creating what prosecutors described as a 'horror movie scene.' Kempster was accused of smearing blood and discarding animal carcasses but denied any involvement. He suggested his DNA might have been transferred from another source.
Magistrates noted discrepancies in clothing seen on CCTV footage compared to items linked to Kempster, particularly a logo on trousers. Despite prosecutors arguing that circumstantial evidence formed a 'compelling' case, the defence maintained there was not enough proof of his involvement in the broader incident. Kempster's DNA was found on both birds, leading to convictions under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.
The burnt-out vehicle used in the incident was later discovered nearby. The court heard that Kempster had previous poaching convictions but claimed he did not know how his DNA ended up at the scene. He will be sentenced for bird possession on June 23, with a maximum penalty of six months in prison.
How this summary was created
This summary synthesizes reporting from 3 independent publishers using AI. All sources are cited and linked below. NewsBalance is a news aggregator and media literacy tool, not a news publisher. AI-generated content may contain errors or inaccuracies — always verify important information with the original sources.