TWO gamekeepers were fined £2,000 each for clubbing a bird of prey to death.

Michael Clare, 23, of Cookshall Lane, High Wycombe, was secretly filmed battering a common buzzard with a stick by RSPB investigator Mark Thomas.

While under-gamekeeper Clare killed the bird, which was caught in a trap, his superior Leslie Morris, 36, also of Cookshall Lane, watched on and failed to intervene.

Morris and Clare farm pheasants and partridges on Dashwood Estate land in West Wycombe for the Bradenham Hill shoot.

High Wycombe Magistrates Court heard Clare's counsel Simon Heptonstall claim his client killed the bird last February to put it out of its misery after it had broken its leg. But Mr Thomas claimed the bird was "fit and well" at 6am two hours before Clare and Morris arrived.

District Judge Terry English rejected the defence claim that the buzzard had been wounded by a predator.

He said: "Clare took the most cursory look into the cage before entering it and killing the buzzard."

Morris's defence, David Williams QC, said it had to be proved that his client knew the bird was to be killed and encouraged it.

However Judge English said Morris had some control over the situation but refrained from using it.

Turning to the two men Judge English added: "I do treat this as an isolated case, totally out of character."

The pair were found guilty on Thursday, April 14, of killing a wild bird and having in their possession or control a live wild bird.

The trial took six days and a live buzzard was brought into court for Judge English to see.

Morris and Clare were ordered to pay £500 costs in addition to the fines.

After Thursday's sentencing hearing Mr Thomas told Midweek he videoed the killing after receiving a tip-off.

He said: "We got into position and videoed him club the bird to death."

Mr Thomas said the RSPB was "extremely pleased" with the sentence which sends a clear message to those who persecute birds of prey.

He also added that common buzzards do not eat pheasants.