NO JUSTICE AT THE RSPCA

A WILDLIFE campaigner has been ordered to appear in court over the drowning of a grey squirrel.

Morpeth Red Squirrels Chairman Norris Atthey has been charged with causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, namely a grey squirrel, by drowning it.

The RSPCA has confirmed that it issued a summons to Mr Atthey yesterday morning to appear at South East Northumberland Magistrates Court in Bedlington next month to answer the charge under the Animal Welfare Act.

The action follows a report in the Herald on August 12 in which Mr Atthey described killing a grey squirrel and challenged the RSPCA to prosecute him.
Mr Atthey, 66, of Ulgham, has confirmed that he has received the summons and is receiving specialist legal advice.
He has been ordered to appear at the court at noon on Monday, November 8.
http://www.morpethherald.co.uk/news/local-news/morpeth_squirrel_killer_is_arrested_1_1536967

WE ACCUSE THE RSPCA OF BLATANTLY DISREGARDING THE CPS FULL CODE TEST!

In 1951, Sir Hartley Shawcross, who was then Attorney General, made the classic statement on public interest:

"It has never been the rule in this country - I hope it never will be - that suspected criminal offences must automatically be the subject of prosecution". He added that there should be a prosecution: "wherever it appears that the offence or the circumstances of its commission is or are of such a character that a prosecution in respect thereof is required in the public interest" (House of Commons Debates, Volume 483, 29 January 1951). This approach has been endorsed by Attorneys General ever since.
http://www.cps.gov.uk/publications/code_for_crown_prosecutors/codetest.html


EXTRACT FROM 19 AUG 10;  HOW CAN A CHARITY HAVE A PENSIONER ARRESTED?

A WILDLFIE campaigner who challenged the RSPCA to prosecute him for drowning a grey squirrel has been arrested.

Norris Atthey, 66, was arrested by police at his home in Ulgham  after refusing to take part in a voluntary interview with an RSPCA inspector.
He was taken into custody for questioning on suspicion of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.
Mr Atthey was contacted by the RSPCA and refused to co-operate with their enquiries.
An officer returned to his home on Wednesday morning and Mr Atthey handed over a written statement, but refused to speak to the official.
Assistance was then requested from police to arrest him.
A Northumbria Police spokesman said: "Police were called to assist an RSPCA officer at an address in Ulgham at around 10.45am.
"Officers arrested a 66-year-old man at the address for causing unnecessary suffering to an animal".
http://www.morpethherald.co.uk/news/local-news/morpeth_squirrel_killer_is_arrested_1_1536967