Swan killer jailed under 1592 law
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.A SOMERSET man has become the first person this century to be jailed for slaughtering swans under a law of 1592 introduced by Henry VIII, writes Mary Braid.
Alfred Dines, 20, was sentenced to three months for breaking the 400-year-old law that protects the birds.
Magistrates in Stroud, Gloucestershire, were told that Dines shot the nesting birds on the Stroud Canal at Ryeford, last September. The mute swans were 'peppered' with bullets - one had been shot 10 times, the other 11.
Dines, already serving two-and-a-half years for attempted armed robbery, was prosecuted under the Criminal Damage Act on Property Belonging to the Crown, which states that any swan which does not bear a mark of ownership is the property of the Crown.
Conservationists welcomed the sentence. Ian Rook, welfare officer at the Swan Sanctuary in Egham, Surrey, said: 'We hope this case will do much to discourage this kind of mindless vandalism. It was callous beyond belief.'
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments