Man who clubbed 21 seal pups to death 'may' face jail

A fisherman who repeatedly battered the heads of seals with a wooden fence post has been told he may be put in jail.

Jimmy Stewart, 47 admitted mutilating, beating and crushing the animals last November.

The discovery on a beach on the island of East Linga, near the Shetland Islands was made by staff from Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH), who were carrying out a survey on seal numbers.

His lawyer Tommy Allan told the court Stewart could offer no explanation why he clubbed 21 grey seal pups to death.

Mr Allan said: "Mr Stewart accepts that he knew that these animals were healthy. He accepts that this was something which he should not have done and he has not instructed me to put forward any good reason why he has done this."

Photos

Murdered Seal pups

see larger image

uploaded by mudricky

• 

  uploaded by mudricky | add comment

• 

  uploaded by mudricky | add comment

• 

  uploaded by mudricky | add comment

Procurator fiscal Duncan Mackenzie told the court there had been concern about a dramatic decline in seal populations around Shetland.

Mackenzie told the court that the group [SNH] saw the accused raise a fence post over his head and bring it down with extreme violence four or five times to the ground.

"The accused then became aware of the presence of the survey boat dropping the post he appeared to run off in an attempt to hide."

"Each pup had extensive head injuries. There were several depressions on the skull.consistent with being struck repeatedly. One of the pups effectively had its face moulded to the rock it was lying on, such had been the impact,"

John Uttley, SNH's area manager said: "This is a shocking case the degree of casual cruelty shows that there is still a great deal of ignorance and prejudice about grey seals.

"Of course we hope that this is an isolated case, but it is very difficult to obtain the evidence required for a successful prosecution, and suspicions have been raised in the past. Shetland's positive image depends to a large part on its wildlife, including seals.

"These animals help to attract people and business to the islands and many people feel a strong connection with them. Conflicts do sometimes arise with people's business but there are legitimate ways of resolving these.

"The brutality described in today's case towards wildlife besmirches Shetland's reputation as a place which treasures its nature and wildlife and we are pleased to see the court respond accordingly."

Sheriff Graeme Napier warned Stewart that a custodial sentence was a possibility and deferred sentence until 25 March for social enquiry report.

Resources: BBC Scotland News, Shetland Catch, PA & The Guardian