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No Charges For Harry Over Shooting Of Rare Birds
On Grandmother's Estate
Wed Nov 7, 10:18 AM ET

LONDON (AFP) - No-one will be charged after the alleged shooting of two protected birds of prey on one of Queen Elizabeth II's country estates where Prince Harry had been shooting, prosecutors said Tuesday.



The Crown Prosecution Service, which oversees cases in England and Wales, said there was "insufficient evidence" to bring charges over the deaths of two hen harriers at Sandringham, eastern England.

It said in a statement the birds' bodies have not been found and there was no forensic or ballistic evidence.

Police interviewed three people during the investigation which began after two wardens on a nearby nature reserve, who were watching the birds in flight at the time, heard the blast of a shotgun then saw them fall out of the sky.

Royal officials confirmed that 23-year-old army officer Harry and a friend were in the area at the time but had no knowledge of the incident. They did not say whether the young royal was among those questioned.

CPS lawyer Andrew Baxter said: "I am satisfied the police investigation has been thorough and there are no other areas of investigation which can be pursued."

The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds and the Natural England conservation body said they were disappointed with the decision as the British hen harrier population has declined markedly since the 19th century.

Only 20 pairs of hen harriers are thought to survive in England.

Unless one is a Prince, killing a protected bird of prey carries a six-month jail sentence or a fine of 5,000 pounds
(1,000 euros or 10,500 dollars).

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20071107/en_afp/britainroyalsanimal
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