The former owner of a world leading birds of prey centre has escaped jail today for illegally selling three protected Black Kites and stealing owls.
Keith Beaven, 68, was given a 40 week jail term, suspended for 18 months and ordered to pay more than £16,000 in fines, costs and compensation.
Sentencing Judge William Hart told Beaven, of Staunton near Newent that some of the thefts of birds which were loaned from zoos were "examples of blatant dishonesty by you".
But the judge said he was satisfied Beaven had not ill-treated or harmed birds and they were sold to people who knew who to care for them.
Beaven committed the offences while running the National Birds of Prey Centre at Cliffords Mesne, and just after he sold it back to original owner Jemima Parry-Jones. She now runs the International Centre for Birds of Prey at the site near Newent, and was unaware of Beaven's crimes committed in the centre's name.
Earlier he was found guilty of three counts of theft, and three counts of fraud, as well as selling an endangered species – all related to birds of prey. He also pleaded guilty to one count of fraud and another of theft.
