The RSPCA has warned that action will be taken against people who commit wildlife crime after two men were caught illegally digging at an active badger sett near Wrexham.

A member of the public alerted the police after spotting them on land at Cross Lanes on 30 August last year. 

One of the men was lying on his stomach in a large rectangular hole which had been dug into a bank. 

Two quad bikes - one of which had a box attached with a terrier-type dog called Rosie inside - were also found at the scene.

Jamie Barnes, of Caernarvon Place in Beeston, Nottingham, and Ben Davies, of Cwm Mawr in Belan, Welshpool, had both denied one offence contrary to the Protection of Badgers Act 1992, but were found guilty after trial.

Appearing at Wrexham Magistrates Court last Tuesday, both men were fined £1,000 and each ordered to pay costs of £600, following a prosecution brought by the RSPCA. 

Wales Farmer: The site. Image: RSPCAThe site. Image: RSPCA (Image: RSPCA)

The court heard how the men thought the sett wasn’t active, despite the fact there were three access tunnels into it with clear badger trails leading in and out, small holes spread out near the sett entrance containing fresh faeces and fresh bedding strewn nearby.  

Neither of them had been given permission by the farmer - who confirmed there was an active sett at the location - to dig on his land.

Speaking after the case, chief inspector Ian Briggs from the RSPCA’s Special Operations Unit - the team responsible for investigating serious and organised animal crime, including badger baiting and wildlife crimes - said: “There were clear and obvious signs that this was an actively used badger sett and this was a blatant attempt to dig and find one.

“We won’t hesitate to take action against people who commit wildlife crime and we’d like to thank our partners in this case, as well as the member of the public who so swiftly reported it.”  

PC Dave Allen of the North Wales Police Rural Crime Team, said: “I welcome the sentence which sends out a positive message to the rural communities that North Wales Police and partners, who worked closely together as part of this case, take these matters very seriously.

“I’d also like to thank the public for their support by being our eyes and ears and reporting incidents to us when they see wrongdoing in our community. Anyone who witnesses rural crime in their area is urged to contact officers on 101, or via the website.”