Thousands of robins killed in the Var region: born before shame, the poacher appeals
For nature lovers, encountering a robin creates a familiar reaction: stop, admire and enjoy for a few moments its harmonious song and beautiful appearance. But this is not the case for everyone, as illustrated by this poacher from the Var region, convicted in 2022 for slaughtering thousands of them every season for years. The man cynically decided to contest the pronounced verdict against him. For all the rigaous killed, we will ask confirmation of his conviction on 12 February at 2 p.m. at the Court of Appeal in Aix-en-Provence.
A systematic massacre and unspeakable contempt for life
5,000. That is the number of birds killed each year by this retired man from the Var region. He used to lure them with ants before the jaws of a trap would violently snap shut on them, leaving them no chance of escape. The man would then collect them, kill them, pluck them and throw them into plastic bags at the bottom of his freezer.
Intended to be resold as part of an illegal trade, some had another use for this retired hunter. He admits it himself: “I made a kebab from time to time“. Beyond the fact that robins are a protected species which, like all birds, are gradually disappearing from our countryside, such a lack of consideration for living creatures is chilling. And this is not an isolated case: in February 2023, we secured the conviction of another robin killer in the same region.
A fitting sentence, immediately contested!
After having operated for nearly forty years, at the end of the September 2022 hearing, we attended as a civil party, the judge sentenced the poacher to a six-month suspended prison sentence, a €25,000 fine and a ban on owning a weapon. An exemplary sentence, rare enough to be welcomed.
Born before shame, the man nevertheless chose to appeal the judgment, even though he admitted the facts. We will formally request the confirmation of his sentence and will be present at the hearing at the Court of Appeal in Aix-en-Provence on 12 February at 2 p.m.
While awaiting this decision, sign this petition to demand a radical reform of hunting!
The sentence handed down to the robin poacher has been increased on appeal!
The Court of Appeal has ruled and confirmed the guilt of the Var pensioner with a big surprise, increasing the fine from €25,000 to €30,000. The poacher thought he had a clear run, but the seriousness of robin trafficking worked against him. The six-month suspended prison sentence and ban on owning a weapon were upheld.
One Voice is pleased with this decision, which we hope will be a sufficient deterrent, not only to prevent the guilty party from reoffending, but also to discourage others from doing the same.