Wolverhampton boss cleared of animal display charge

The owner of an exotic animal park has told of his relief at being cleared of illegally keeping endangered species on display to members of the public.

James Wick, who runs Wickid Pets in Wolverhampton, was alleged to have kept a kestrel and Goeldi's marmoset monkey on display without having the relevant official paperwork.

But after a one-day trial at Wolverhampton Magistrates Court yesterday, Mr Wick was found not guilty.

Mr Wick, aged 42, of Vicarage Road, Wednesfield, said he was "overjoyed" at the outcome but he had endured 18 months of "pure hell".

He said: "It's ridiculous that I was ever hauled before the courts. I am an expert at what I do and qualified to keep all sorts of animals. I know all the rules and regulations and always comply with them."

The charge was brought against Mr Wick after two inspectors from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) visited Wickid Pets, off Stafford Road, Dunstall, on September 18, 2010.

The court heard how Mr Wick did not have the relevant paperwork from Defra to keep the animals where the public could see them.

One inspector, Phil Bellman, told the court he had seen visitors walking round the animal park.

But Mr Wick said the park was not open to the public at the time and the people Mr Bellman had seen were staff members and volunteers.

Mr Wick said: "First thing in the morning the animals are put out for exercise. But before the public come in, we put the animals away.

"These two animals in question were definitely not on display."

Wickid Pets manager Alice Griffiths told the court: "I'm 100 million per cent sure we were not open to the public."

District Judge Michael Wheeler found Mr Wick not guilty of two charges of the prohibited displaying of endangered species to the public.

By Laura Blyth