CONVICTED (2022) | Christopher Barker, born June 1977, of Barker Rails Farm, Carr Lane, Brompton, Scarborough YO13 9DH – tormented a pod of dolphins by repeatedly circling them in his speedboat.
Barker, director of All Game and Eggs Ltd and Chubby Eggs Ltd, aimed the small water craft at the group of cetaceans off the Scarborough coast on 9 July, 2021
Witnesses said Barker, who is also a terrierman with the Derwent Hunt, had driven at speeds of up to 25 knots (30 mph).
In his defence, he said he had only owned the boat for a month and was unaware of dolphins’ protected status.
Geoff Ellis, prosecuting, read a number of witness statements which suggested the speedboat had come within 20 to 30m of the group of bottlenose dolphins.
The aquatic creatures tried to move further out to sea but were unable to do so, and at one point were split up into two.
Witnesses estimated it took 10 minutes for Barker to stop, despite people on a nearby pier and on a passing boat trying to attract his attention, Mr Ellis said.
Mr Ellis said the defendant had told police he only purchased the boat in June 2021 and had no experience or training in its use at sea.
The defendant’s solicitor said he had set out knowing “nothing about dolphins” and had no experience in handling the boat.
When interviewed by police he told officers he was unaware of the legal protections provided to dolphins and had been “stupid rather than reckless”.
Barker’s solicitor said he had received a great deal of unpleasant messages on social media as a result of the case.
She said he had done “something stupid,” which he acknowledged and apologised for.
Barker, who had initially denied the offence, admitted intentionally and recklessly disturbing an endangered species.
District Judge Adrian Lower said it was the first case of its kind heard by the court and he was sure the defendant had no idea his actions would “amount to a criminal offence”.
Sentencing | fined £200 plus costs and surcharge totalling £334.
It is difficult for people to just ignore interesting wildlife scenes like a school of dolphins.
I often pass seals on the beach and I do not give way to my curiosity but just give them a wide berth in order not to disturb them.
Other people though take photos and stand too close to the seals.
It sounds like this guy let his curiosity get the better of him.
Yes! People shouldn’t be so curious.
We all like watching wild life but we shouldn’t let our curiosity get the better of us as it can disturb wildlife.
Still his hens are really well cared for all out in the open just like they should be. Those hens are lucky critters no battery cages for them!
The problem with all the happy free range hens in the open fields of Yorkshire is that the fox gets many a dinner too.
If he kept his hens in cages they wouldn’t be eaten be the fox.
Every method of egg production has its benefits and disadvantages.
Yes even battery method of egg production has its advantages – the hens are safe from the foxes.
I kept hens once and we used to put them in the shed at night.
One night the fox got in. I think Kirk forgot to lock up proper and I cannot describe the carnage.
The fox didnt just kill one for its dinner. It killed the whole lot for the sake of killing.
I do agree that there is more important cruelty issues than a guy on a jet ski doing his David Attenborough imitation.
I have never tasted one of his dolphins but his eggs and chickens are the best in the world.
Lovely free range eggs from rural Yorkshire.
My son was a chef.
Many ‘fans’ commenting here!!
Resume they all know exactly what terrier men do when out with the Derwent Hunt???
It’s not surprising behaviour is terrorising dolphins in your exactly what he was doing of course ignorance is no excuse he was quick enough to sell the boat before it got confiscated😅😅😅
Hunting is over, soon be shutting down the Hint business, as NO Trail Hunting will be permitted.Trail Hunting IS fox hunting, how do I know? Britain’s leading Huntsman Mark Hankinson has been found guilty of advising people how to do it illegally !
Trail Hunting IS fox hunting
Terrier men supply bagged foxes to be chased & killed for ‘sport’ by dangerous humans riding on horses with a pack of dogs. Terrier men block badger setts regularly to prevent fleeing fox taking refuge from pack of dogs AND Terrier men frequently dig badger setts to retrieve a fox who then then throw to the hounds to be torn apart while it is alive & killed this most obscene manner.
Terrier men are hunt servants nothing more
Criminally assisting hunting folk who must witness a mammal being savagely killed by a pack of dogs to get their enjoyment & satisfaction on Hunt days.
This is not normal well balanced humans
Criminal dangerous psychos is a more apt description .