JON BOWES FROM KNIPTON FACES BANS AND FINES OVER ILLEGAL WILDLIFE OFFENCES NEAR MELTON AND GRANTHAM

Jonathan David Bowes, a resident of Vine House at 1 Main Street in Knipton, Grantham NG32 1RW, became the subject of a serious wildlife crime investigation that uncovered a series of illegal activities involving the shooting and handling of wild birds. Bowes, born in December 1971, is known locally for operating a logging business called J & H Logs, but his involvement in illegal wildlife practices has brought him into legal trouble.

Investigators linked Bowes to a disturbing incident where he was found to have mutilated nine ducks by cutting off their wings with a pair of old scissors. This act was part of a broader pattern of illegal activities related to the shooting and sale of wild birds. The investigation focused on his operations at his family’s farm located in Holwell, near Melton, where he ran a business that involved shooting birds for profit.

Bowes pleaded guilty to eight separate wildlife offences during the proceedings. The charges included the illegal shooting of birds, with evidence indicating that he charged customers to shoot ducks on a lake where the birds’ wings had been clipped. While surgically clipping the wings of young birds within the first ten days of their life is legal, Bowes was found to have performed this procedure on older birds without the use of anaesthetic, which is illegal. He admitted to causing unnecessary suffering to animals through these actions, along with two charges of carrying out illegal procedures.

Further investigations revealed that Bowes was involved in the illegal sale of 12 wild birds at Melton market. Additionally, authorities uncovered spring traps in his possession, which he used unlawfully to catch wild birds. These traps, besides being illegal, sometimes resulted in the accidental killing of his ducks, adding to the severity of his offences.

In sentencing, Bowes was fined £1,500 and ordered to pay costs amounting to £5,000. Moreover, he was banned from keeping any birds for a period of five years, a restriction that was set to expire in 2018. The case drew attention to the seriousness of wildlife crimes and the importance of enforcing laws designed to protect wild animals.

In a subsequent development in February 2016, Bowes appeared before Hinckley Magistrates’ Court seeking to have the bird-keeping ban lifted. During the hearing, he explained that his wife, Emily-Anne Bowes, maintains a collection of pigeons, chickens, and ducks at their home, and their four-year-old daughter enjoys caring for the animals. Bowes argued that the ban was preventing him from assisting his daughter with feeding the birds and helping his wife with tasks such as maintaining the electric fence around their property.

His wife also provided testimony, describing the physical difficulties she faced, such as carrying heavy feed bags weighing around 25kg and installing new fence posts, which she claimed were hindered by the ban. However, representatives from the RSPCA, including Kevin McCole, opposed the application to lift the ban. McCole emphasized the gravity of Bowes’ original offences, stating, “There’s simply no excuse for causing suffering in the way he did. The RSPCA feels that the sentence was commensurate with the seriousness of the offence.”

The magistrates ultimately upheld the original five-year ban, reaffirming that the restrictions were appropriate given the severity of Bowes’ wildlife crimes. The decision underscored the legal system’s stance on animal cruelty and illegal wildlife activities, reaffirming that such offences warrant strict penalties to deter future violations.