A MAN has been prosecuted and fined for destroying a bat roost in Holberrow Green despite several warnings.
Mr Stephen Yoxhall, from Atherstone, pleaded guilty on April 24 in Kidderminster Magistrates’ Court and was fined £300 and ordered to pay costs of £135.
The offence occurred when work was being undertaken to develop a business unit in the area.
A bat survey undertaken in support of the planning application identified the presence of common pipistrelle summer roosts.
Mr Yoxhall was made aware that destruction of the roosts should only be undertaken once a licence had been issued by natural England.
No licence was granted to Mr Yoxhall and he continued to destroy the roots.
Pc Simon Albutt, Wildlife Crime Officer, said: “We take rural and wildlife crime very serious in West Mercia Police and we will work with other agencies to bring any offenders to justice.”
