Ex-policeman found illegally possessing 650 bird eggs

A retired police officer was caught illegally possessing nearly 650 wild bird eggs.

Michael Upson of Sotherton, Suffolk accumulated a collection of 649 eggs from nests he raided while he was working for Suffolk Police.

At Norwich Magistrates' Court yesterday, the 52-year-old was handed a suspended jail sentence.

Upson is also required to complete 150 hours of unpaid work in the community as well as pay £120 towards court costs.

Magistrate Eamon Lambert told the man: "Your actions had a marked effect on the bird population and a serious impact on the environment.

"The sheer number of the eggs... is a serious number and a crime against nature and our sentence will reflect this."

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