Title: Spalding Antique Dealer Penalised for Illicit Sale of Endangered Species
Revised Content:
A 71-year-old shop proprietor in Spalding, named Justin Grimshaw, of Spalding Road, Pinchbeck, has been penalised following an inquiry by the police into his trade of taxidermied endangered wildlife from his establishment, Pendragon Antiques, situated on Red Lion Street. The police of Lincolnshire instigated this investigation in May 2024 post receipt of an anonymous tip-off. On the exploration of the shop premises, law enforcement officers discovered taxidermy specimens, inclusive of a pine marten, barn owl, and kestrels, coupled with articles crafted from ivory.
Grimshaw admitted to 12 charges under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, the Control of Trade in Endangered Species Regulation 2018, and the Ivory Act 2018 at Boston Magistrates’ Court. His punishment comprises four months of conditional imprisonment for 12 months, a penalty of £500, and comprehensive costs and surcharge amounting to £239.
During the aforementioned search, a tiger’s tooth was also found at Grimshaw’s dwelling, originally spotted in video evidence inside a glass exhibit cabinet. Continued investigations revealed that Grimshaw had priorly advertised sawfish items for sale on the internet over multiple years.
In his defence, Grimshaw claimed unawareness of the legality associated with the sale of these objects. Albeit, the court upheld the accusations, stressing the significance of safeguarding endangered species.
This narrative has been tailored by The Lincoln Post from the original coverage by www.bbc.com.
