Taxidermist had illegal 'museum'

An unemployed taxidermist who built up a collection of more than 300 stuffed animals in a 'museum' at his home was found guilty of 169 offences under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.

Magistrates at Hexham, Northumberland, were told that Paul Jarvis, 40, charged 75p to view the creatures at his bungalow in Haydon Bridge. Jarvis, who now lives in South Wales, was conditionally discharged and ordered to pay pounds 1,000 costs. Magistrates also ordered that 65 of the creatures be confiscated and given to a museum.