Gamekeeper who bludgeoned a rare bird of prey to death spared jail

A gamekeeper who trapped a protected bird of prey and clubbed it to death has avoided jail. Perth Sheriff Court was shown shocking footage of Russell Mason catching the goshawk in a net and then using a cosh several times to bludgeon it to death. But sheriff Mark Thorley spared him a prison term and instead fined him and ordered him to carry out unpaid work in the community. He told the 49-year-old: 'I can't quite understand why you did what you did and only you will know. 'Having seen the video I am non-plussed as to why the door was not simply opened to allow the bird to fly out.