Auctioneer charged over wild birds egg sale

Mar 5 2010 by Brian Daniel, The Journal

A WELL known Northumberland auctioneer has been arrested and charged over the sale of wild birds eggs.

Jim Railton, who owns Railtons Antiques Auctioneers and Valuers in Alnwick, will appear in court next week charged with offering wild birds eggs for sale at the Old Narrowgate Salerooms on the towns Narrowgate.

Mr Railton, 57, who lives at Chatton, near Wooler, is also charged with advertising the eggs as being for sale.

He will appear at Alnwick Magistrates Court on March 10, under his other name Ian Wynne Prytherch.

It is understood the eggs are 19th-Century Edwardian specimens, from species including herring gull and guillemot. They are thought to have been inside a small cabinet which a man had inherited from his mother and which was brought into Railtons by a couple.

The cabinet, with the eggs inside, was taken on by the company to sell.

Railtons advertised the items for sale at an auction to take place at the Alnwick salerooms on October 24 and 25 last year, with a value of s30-s42. The company advertises its auctions in the Press and on its website but the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB) received a report regarding an advert. It passed the details to Northumbria Police and assisted with inquiries.

As a result of the investigation, Mr Railton was arrested on November 24 and charged with the two offences.

Both matters are under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and stem from the fact that the sale of birds eggs is illegal, regardless of their age.

A police spokesman said: Following a joint investigation with the RSPB, Northumbria Police have charged a man with exposing and advertising for sale a collection of wild birds eggs.

Ian Wynne Prytherch (also known as Jim Railton), 57, of Chatton, Alnwick, is due to appear at Alnwick Magistrates Court on Wednesday, March 10, at 10am.

An RSPB spokesman said: In October 2009, RSPB received a report regarding an advert for an auction lot of wild birds eggs.

The species involved included herring gull and guillemot.

The auction was due to take place on October 24-25 2009 at the Alnwick Sale Rooms. RSPB passed the details to Northumbria Police and assisted with inquiries.

As a result of the investigation, Railton was charged with two offences. Mr Railton, who says he is a member of the RSPB, last night said he was undecided as to how he plans to plead to the charges.

But he said of the prosecution: I think it is a complete and utter waste of time. The whole thing is farcical.

Mr Railton has been in the antiques business for more than 30 years, carrying out valuations throughout the UK for insurance, probate and for sale.

He set up the business in Northumberland in 1993 organising auctions in venues including Chillingham Castle and Newcastle Racecourse.

Mr Railton is also a member of Tillside Parish Council and a director of the Chillingham Wild Cattle Association.