A former south Shropshire head gamekeeper has been warned that he could face a prison sentence after he admitted using traps to take or kill wild birds.

Roger Venton appeared at Telford Magistrates Court yesterday. He admitted that between July 16 and 27 last year, at the Kempton Estate, near Craven Arms, he used a spring trap to take or kill a wild bird.

The 33-year-old, of Aston on Clun, also admitted that on May 5 last year he allowed assistant gamekeeper Kyle Burden to use a caged trap for the purposes of killing a wild bird.

Another three similar charges were dropped after the prosecution offered no evidence. Sentencing was adjourned until January 2.

As a result of the case the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds is launching a confidential hotline to help catch wildlife criminals.

At court yesterday, Mr Geoffrey Dann, prosecuting, said the incidents came to light after another gamekeeper became concerned about the high number of birds of prey being killed on the estate in Aston on Clun.

Kyle Burden has already been sentenced.Mr Dann said the RSPB identified a pole trap on the estate.

He said a spring trap in itself was not illegal, but being set on a pole meant it was, while tying a raven to it as a decoy bird was illegal.

He said Venton had told Burden to take the traps down, but admitted Burden may still have used them.

Mr Huw Williams, mitigating, said: “Venton is a man of exemplary character and this will be his first and last appearance at a criminal court.” Venton had since resigned his position.

Deputy District Judge Robert Cockrell said he could not rule out imprisonment.

Speaking outside court, Mark Thomas, RSPB investigations officer, said: “The people who commit these crimes, or who pressure others to commit them, are not only breaking the law, they are dragging the good name of gamekeeping through the mud.”