Sheriff tell wild life officer to get a life

[Keano 74]

Outrage as wildlife sheriff tells police officer to get a life

 

Sheriff Kevin Drummond faces calls to quit his role as chairman of PAW

Rod Edwards, Environment Editor

 

Share 0 comments 7 Mar 2010

 

One of Scotlands top sheriffs is under pressure to quit his leading role in combating wildlife crime after allegedly telling a former police officer concerned about the soft sentences given to those convicted to get a life.

 

Sheriff Kevin Drummond is claimed to have told a police conference on wildlife crime last month that offences against animals were not even on the second page after serious crimes such as robbery and assault.

 

His remarks left delegates, including wildlife crime investigators, shocked and bewildered. They said Mr Drummond was no longer fit to be involved in the Scottish Governments Partnership for Action against Wildlife Crime (PAW), and demanded that he quit.

 

The row comes ahead of new government figures which are expected to show the incidence of illegal poisoning of animals in Scotland reached a record high in 2009. The figures are to be published within two weeks.

 

Mr Drummond, who sits as a sheriff in the Scottish Borders, is chairman of PAWs legislation, regulation and guidance subgroup. He has run mock trials for the Government to help train police and procurators fiscal how to handle wildlife offences.

 

His remarks came at the end of a major wildlife crime conference at the Scottish Police College at Tulliallan on February 17. At the conference, Mark Rafferty, a former police wildlife investigator now with the Scottish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, questioned whether wildlife offenders should be given tougher sentences.

 

According to those present, Mr Drummond responded by asking whether Mr Rafferty wanted people to be hung as they were in Iran.

 

Mr Drummond went on to suggest, observers said, that there were problems with sentencing armed robbers and that wildlife offenders were a much lower priority.

 

Several witnesses have told the Sunday Herald that the judge finished by telling Mr Rafferty to get a life. The conference was then immediately closed, leaving many frustrated at not being able to respond.

 

Dr Ruth Tingay, from Lothian and Borders Raptor Study Group, which monitors birds of prey, was utterly astounded at the comments. In my view, as long as Sheriff Drummond remains in post, the credibility of PAW Scotland is non-existent, she said.

 

She has written to Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham and to PAW, urging that Mr Drummond be removed from his chairmanship.

 

She has been backed up by Ronnie Graham, from the Dumfries and Galloway Raptor Study Group.

 

I personally feel that this outburst and admission of the low priority in which he classes illegal raptor poisoning casts serious doubts over Sheriff Drummonds suitability to sit on this group or be involved in PAW in any capacity. The penalty for crimes against wildlife is up to 12 months in jail or a £10,000 fine. But wildlife groups say that most offenders get away with much less.

 

Sheriff Drummond declined to comment.

 

Ms Cunningham insisted she had no plans to shift Sheriff Drummond from his position with PAW. The partnership benefits from having a sheriff with a longstanding interest in wildlife crime in such a position, she said.

 

My understanding is his comments were intended to put wildlife crime sentencing into context rather than to indicate any personal views on where it should find itself on the lists of priorities of law enforcement agencies.

 

The minister added: His continued commitment to the subject is demonstrated by the time he dedicates to attending conferences like the one at Tulliallan and in his involvement with PAW Scotland.

Edited August 7, 2010 by Keano

[stealthy1 3,964]

Hats off to Sheriff Kevin Drummond

[Flamin'Nora! 50]

well said that man! to compare chasing a hare fox or deer to armed robbery and other serious crime is absolutely ludicrous.

[hue jeers 6]

Top, top bloke................................................... for a fed that is

 

About time these arse wipes were put in their place, how can a Police force seriously warrant a Helicopter, four vans, Mounted section etc.etc. to attend to 3 old blokes putting a false earth in and yet can never find anyone to deal with the real f*ck witts of society ?

 

Good on yer mr copper for putting those bunny hugging buffoons in their place

[lavrockhall 2]

They dont like it ,when they dont get it all their own way,and will stoop to anything to get a conviction. lavrock

[The one 8,486]

I thought it was just me how can crimes against animals compare to pedeos ,rape ect there no on the same level

[scottishlass 57]

Drummond is good if he got oot the right side of the bed morning if not he can be a real pain

[Leeview 791]

Simply put Kevin Drummond has put it in perspective and the wildlife officers did nt like his answer maybe these WO should be given jobs that deal with priority crimes instead of the cushy number they're on?

Y.I.S Leeview

[lilvixen 26]

Sheriff Drummond isn't the first and won't be the last to tell that Rafferty to "get a life"!

 

At least someone is trying to put some perspective on things.

[dennned 172]

Sheriff Drummond isn't the first and won't be the last to tell that Rafferty to "get a life"!

 

At least someone is trying to put some perspective on things.

sherrif drummond is a twat, but on the other hand he has sorted out the wanker rafferty , who is now with the rspca now, after HAVING TO RESIGN from the police after , pursuing a case in which it totaled a 6 figure sum , only for them to get a conviction of failing to take the dog to a vet for an ear infection, ffs , what a prick rafferty is , cant even see him catching a f*****g cold.

[Keano 74]

If Raffery had his way people would be hung Well said Drummond

[bradaz2009 9]

well if thats true bout rafferty doing all that for a poxy conviction he will fit right in with the arsepca

[events co-ordinator 353]

*$%**&* is actually with the SS pca the rspca dont operate in Scotland and he is still a very dangerous man and will be until found out.

[FightTheBan 1,147]

Good on ye Drummond! I would shake your hand, even if you are police.

 

Mark Rafferty is the single biggest piss stain there is, and is responsible for convicting countless INNOCENT AND DECENT gamekeepers, terrier and lurcher men.

 

If anyone should hang, it should be him. Widely known to be bent (his reason for being sacked from the force) is also well known to offer bribes, plant evidence and partake general corruption.

 

If your reading this Mark, your day will come you filthy scummy nonce :piggy:

There are pleaty of lads out there you have f****d over, and hopefully one day you will mess with the wrong one.

 

FTB

[Keano 74]

This is a picture a have just found of Raffery

Edited October 8, 2010 by Keano