Swan case trio seek costs refund

9:41am Tuesday 5th August 2008

THREE Chesham men accused of killing 29 swans are looking to reclaim £47,000 legal costs after the case against them collapsed.

Key evidence against Stephen Barrett, 38, and brothers Marcus, 51, and Darren Walker, 47, was lost by Bedfordshire Police last week.

All the charges against the three men were subsequently dropped - and they say the collapse of the case has prevented them from being able to clear their names.

And now they are looking for legal costs of £47,000 to be returned to them.

The swans, all of which had been shot, were found buried in a pit near Radwell Lake in Bedfordshire in October last year.

The land belonged to the Walker brothers.

Speaking to the BBC, Darren Walker, when asked whether they killed the birds, replied: "Most definitely not. We like wildlife. We bought the land because of the wildlife."

Asked if they knew who buried the swans on their land, he said: "I only wish I knew and if I knew I would give the information to the police."

A trial against the three men was due to begin yesterday at Bedford Magistrates Court - but on Friday, Bedfordshire Police admitted one of the bullets allegedly used to kill the protected birds had been lost.

The ammunition was being kept at Greyfriars Police Station in Bedford.

Because of the mistake, all the charges had to be dropped.

In a statement Bedfordshire Police said: "The case was taken seriously by police.

"However the loss of ammunition means there's no longer a realistic prospect of conviction. A full review of the case will be conducted."

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