FIFE MAN SENTENCED FOR TRADING BODY PARTS FROM ENDANGERED ANIMALS - BBC NEWS
A Fife man who pleaded guilty to trading in body parts from endangered animals has been sentenced to 160 hours of community service.
Steven Paterson, 47, from Glenrothes, pleaded guilty to four charges in March at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court.
He was caught when the UK Border Agency found his website, which sold animal parts he had bought on the internet and shipped from abroad.
It is the first case of its kind in Scotland.
He was also caught during the 18-month investigation selling a green turtle and a sperm whale tooth.
Items included a harbour porpoise skull.
Craig Harris, the Crown Office's head of wildlife and environmental crime unit, commented: "The illegal trade of plant and animal specimens contributes to wildlife depletion, bringing some species close to extinction.
We will pursue those involved in illegal wildlife trading.
Online trade does not offer criminals immunity.
Prosecutors will collaborate with partners to combat endangered wildlife crime."
This is a probabilistic continent or country-group signal from public name datasets. It is not proof of nationality, ethnicity or personal background.
Likely region signal
UK
Country
from United Kingdom
- based on surname
76.8%
confidence
First-name region
UK
United States
34.1%
Surname region
UK
United Kingdom
76.8%
Court Outcome
Conviction and Sentencing Details
Sentenced
Detected legal outcome
A Fife man who pleaded guilty to trading in body parts from endangered animals has been sentenced to 160 hours of community service. Steven Paterson, 47, from Glenrothes, pleaded guilty to four charges in March at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court...
