A gamekeeper has been fined £2,000 after he was found guilty of killing a bird of prey.
William Dick, of the Newlands estate in Dumfries and Galloway, was handed the penalty at Dumfries Sheriff Court after being convicted of killing and possessing a buzzard in April last year, the RSPB said.
The conservation charity welcomed the fine as evidence courts take the "outdated" crime seriously.
RSPB head of investigations Ian Thomson said: "It is unfortunate that buzzards are regularly vilified by some sectors of the gamebird shooting industry, despite them only just recovering after decades of persecution.
"While scientific evidence shows they have a minimal impact on released pheasants, the cruel actions of Mr Dick are symptomatic of a continued Victorian attitude towards birds of prey, one that all too frequently leads to them being illegally killed.
"We commend the prompt actions of the witnesses in reporting this incident, the rapid follow-up carried out by Police Scotland and Scottish SPCA, and the work of Procurator Fiscal Kate Fleming in securing this conviction."
Alex Hogg, chairman of the Scottish Gamekeepers Association, said: "The Scottish Gamekeepers Association has a clear and consistent policy, and does not condone wildlife crime.
"It is our understanding that an appeal has been lodged in this particular case, so it would not be appropriate for us to comment until such times as the legal process has concluded."
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