JOHN SMEDLEY FROM HADDINGTON BUSTED FOR ILLEGAL DEER HUNTING WITH TEXAN RIFLE IN EAST LOTHIAN

John Smedley, a 56-year-old resident of Priory Walk in Haddington, East Lothian, has been convicted of multiple serious wildlife offences related to illegal deer hunting. The court heard that Smedley unlawfully shot and killed a roe deer in Morham, East Lothian, without obtaining the necessary permissions or licenses. He later admitted to possessing the carcass of the animal at his home in North Berwick on April 23, 2023, confirming his involvement in the unlawful killing.

In addition to the deer hunting charges, Smedley pleaded guilty to possessing a Texan Air Rifle Lethal Load, a firearm that is considered highly dangerous and was used in the commission of the offence. The firearm, which resembled a sniper rifle, was owned without lawful authority, raising serious concerns about safety and legality. Smedley's history includes a previous conviction for similar deer hunting offences, indicating a pattern of illegal activity.

The court was addressed by Sheriff Matthew Auchincloss, who expressed strong disapproval of Smedley's actions. The sheriff emphasized that poaching and illegal hunting are unacceptable in East Lothian, despite Smedley's attempt to justify his actions by claiming that shooting deer was considered acceptable in the area. Sheriff Auchincloss stated, “I live in East Lothian and I can tell you that it’s certainly not acceptable to poach these animals.”

Regarding the firearm, the sheriff remarked, “I have seen a picture of the rifle you used. It would have looked like a sniper rifle to anybody who didn’t know what it was if they saw you walking around with it.” Smedley was fined £800 and ordered to complete 60 hours of unpaid work. The sheriff further commented, “That’s so you know it’s not worth your while hunting for deer – it would be much cheaper to just buy a carcass.”

During the proceedings, Smedley's defense lawyer, Mark Hutchison, explained that his client grew up in a hunting culture, observing his grandfather and father hunt deer without repercussions. Hutchison argued that in East Lothian, such activities were once considered acceptable, though he acknowledged that they are no longer lawful. He assured the court that Smedley, who has no prior criminal record aside from this case and leads a generally law-abiding life, would not repeat his actions.

However, Sheriff Auchincloss made it clear that such behavior is criminal and not acceptable under current laws. He stated, “This is not acceptable and is a crime. It may have been more accepted in your grandfather and father’s time. But time changes the law. I am satisfied that the custody threshold has been met. However, as this is a summary matter, I can only send you to prison if there are no other alternatives.”

As part of the sentence, the court ordered the forfeiture of the firearm and ammunition, following a motion by the Procurator Fiscal. A source close to Smedley, who works as a scaffolder, claimed that he hunted deer “for fun” and would often give away the meat or feed it to his dog. The source expressed concern that Smedley has a history of such activities and warned that he might do it again, criticizing the sentence as insufficient to deter others.

All four deer species native to Scotland—red, roe, fallow, and sika—are protected under the Deer (Scotland) Act 1996. It is illegal to shoot these animals without explicit permission from the authorities. Smedley was ultimately fined £800 and sentenced to 60 hours of unpaid community service, a decision that has sparked debate over justice for the animals and the effectiveness of current wildlife protection laws.