Father and son accused of stealing birds worth £16k
A father and son have been accused of stealing birds of prey worth more than £16,000 after two burglaries.
Michael Rowley Snr and Michael Rowley Jnr appeared at Cannock Magistrates Court following burglaries at the Owl and Falcontry Centre in Shipley, near Bridgnorth.
Rowley Jnr, 20, of Broadsmeath, Tamworth, is charged with the burglary of the centre on September 24 last year, stealing birds of prey worth approximately £16,000. He is also charged, along with Rowley Snr, 48, of Merridale Road, Wolverhampton, for a second burglary on November 14 last year at the same place, in which two barn owls, worth £150 each, were taken.
Rowley Jnr is also charged with causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal. He made no plea of indication to any of the charges, while Rowley Snr pleaded not guilty to one charge of burglary.
Prosecutor Sue Hayer said: "After the second burglary, there were birds found dead in their cages. It's understood the stress of the burglary may have contributed to it.
"The victim says he has been left almost bankrupt. He believes it was clear due to injuries suffered by the birds that whoever stole them was trying to remove their identity tags. He said it has had a devastating effect on both he and his staff.
"The second charge that Michael Jnr faces is a high value indictment.
"These premises were specifically targeted."
The pair will appear at Stafford Crown Court on May 16, when Rowley Jnr is expected to plead, and directions ahead of a trial for Rowley Snr and potentially his son will be taken.
