Man jailed for killing badgers

A gamekeeper who clubbed and knifed to death two badgers was jailed for 12 weeks at Worthing Crown Court, West Sussex. Two accomplices were jailed for eight weeks.

The three were arrested at East Dean Park, near Goodwood racecourse, West Sussex, after a three-month undercover operation by police and the RSPCA.

Philip Marshall, 39, a gamekeeper of Midhurst, West Sussex; Rodney Dibble, 32, of Garton-on-the-Wolds, and Stephen Hickson, 31, of Great Driffield, both Humberside, were convicted of 28 cruelty charges.