Gamekeeper Racster Dingwall pleads guilty to conspiracy to kill a Hen Harrier on a grouse moor in Yorkshire Dales National Park.

BREAKING NEWS…

Further to this morning’s blog, gamekeeper Racster Dingwall has pleaded guilty to two charges, including conspiracy to kill a Hen Harrier on a grouse moor on the Conistone & Grassington Estate in the Yorkshire Dales National Park on 2nd October 2024.

He was fined £400 for each offence, plus a surcharge of £320 + £400 costs (total = £1,520).

Convicted gamekeeper Racster Dingwall (on the left) leaving York Magistrates’ Court with his solicitor after sentencing (photo by Ruth Tingay)

The judge made some remarks that I found absolutely staggering….much more on that later.

In haste.

UPDATE 15.15hrs: Gamekeeper pleads guilty in England’s first ever Hen Harrier persecution case (RSPB press release) here.

UPDATE 18.00hrs: Statement from North Yorkshire Police on conviction of gamekeeper Racster Dingwall (here)

UPDATE 30 January 2026: Some commentary on the conviction and sentencing of gamekeeper Racster Dingwall (here)