THE RSPB has rejected criticism over its methods for collecting evidence about wildlife crime after magistrates halted the prosecution of a grouse moor gamekeeper.

The Darlington-based National Gamekeepers’ Organisation said the charity should be ashamed after Northallerton Magistrates’ Court was told the RSPB had unlawfully obtained more than 380 hours of covert camera footage to support allegations against Ian Sleightholm, of the Bolton Estate, Wensleydale.

Mr Sleightholme, 33, had been charged with using a cage trap on the 5,000-acre heather moorland estate unlawfully to take a wild bird; unlawfully taking a crow, and failing to take reasonable steps for the welfare needs of crows by failing to provide suitable water or appropriate shelter.

Magistrates heard claims the RSPB had trespassed on land to set up surveillance, and that Mr Sleightholme had not been provided with a water sample as required for independent testing.

These factors were judged to have been an abuse of process and deemed to impact upon a fair trial. They stayed the proceedings, meaning the case could be postponed indefinitely.

After the hearing, the gamekeepers’ organisation said Mr Sleightholme’s cage trap was being used to trap carrion crows in order to protect young grouse, a proper reason under general licences.

The spokesman said had its member been convicted, it could have led to the loss of his job, his livelihood and his family’s home.

He added: “The RSPB should be hanging its head in shame after providing unlawfully obtained evidence to support the prosecution of a gamekeeper.

“It’s a disgrace that the RSPB – now widely seen as a self-styled wildlife police force – should operate in this manner. The RSPB needs to get its house in order.”

An RSPB spokesman said it had been surprised by the ruling and felt it stemmed from legal failings, rather than the use of covert footage.

He said: “We don’t do intrusive surveillance, we stick to where we think wildlife crime is being committed.”