Totton man James Kempster charged after dead animals dumped outside community shop in Broughton

A TOTTON man is set to appear in court after a load of dead animals were dumped outside a village shop.

The carcasses, which included a highly protected species of bird, were discovered outside the community store in Broughton, between Salisbury and Winchester, on the morning of 15th March.

As reported in the A&T, police attended the scene, finding about 50 dead hares, a kestrel and a barn owl.

Examinations of the barn owl – which has the highest protection level of ‘schedule 1’ – and the kestrel revealed they had been shot with a firearm.

James Kempster (37), of Marchwood Road, has been charged with possessing live/dead schedule 1 wild bird or its parts, possessing live/dead non-schedule 1 wild bird or parts, and criminal damage.

A Hampshire police spokesperson said: “Officers from Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary’s country watch team have been investigating the incident alongside the criminal investigation department, which has now resulted in these charges.”

Kempster is due to appear at Southampton Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday 10th September.