A SERVING police officer has been cleared of selling peregrine falcons to customers in the Middle East.

WPC Suzanne Hall, 45, also had her not guilty plea to being in possession of the protected bird under endangered species legislation accepted by the Crown at Selkirk Sheriff Court.

But her husband Timothy, who is 48, and her 23-year-old son Lewis admitted being involved in the illegal sale of the peregrine falcons and will be sentenced at Selkirk Sheriff Court in January when background reports will be considered.

It followed a joint operation by Police Scotland and the Scottish SPCA at the family home at Lamberton Holdings, in Berwickshire, close to the English border in May 2021, when a search warrant was executed.

A number of peregrine falcons – which are protected under The Wildlife and Countryside Act – were found during the search.

Timothy Hall, who has been described as a part time gamekeeper, also pleaded guilty to being in possession of peregrine falcons and also a charge of failing to provide the needs of an animal as required by good practice by not providing clean water and had inadequate perches for the birds.

He also admitted a breach of the Firearms Act by not properly securing a shotgun in his property.

WPC Hall, who has been on restricted duties with Police Scotland since her arrest, had a not guilty plea accepted to five wildlife charges.

But a fraud charge was deserted with the Crown reserving the right to re-raise the case at a future date.

Sheriff Peter Paterson told the father and son they had admitted a serious offence.

He told Timothy Hall that he had “carried out wilful breaches of wildlife laws you must have been aware of and carried out for profit”.

He added: “Substantial sums of money were made from illegal sales in the Middle East.”

Figures such as £64,000 and £35,000 were quoted as sales of the protected birds.

Sheriff Paterson said background reports would be required to consider a range of sentences including custody.

The sheriff said Lewis Hall had been lesser involved but again he would take into account what the reports would say.

The court also heard that Lewis Hall was being pursued under the proceeds of Crime Act with a hearing at Jedburgh Sheriff Court on January 15.

A written narration detailing the circumstances behind the offences was provided by the Crown with defence lawyers saying they would provide a plea in mitigation at the sentencing diet in January.

Peregrine falcons are protected under The Wildlife and Countryside Act meaning it is an offence to intentionally or recklessly disturb them near or on an active nest.

The species has historically suffered from persecution and pesticide poisoning with their numbers dwindling to their lowest levels in the 1960s.

Scottish specimens of the bird – which can dive at more than 200mph – are highly prized in the Middle East where they are used for racing by wealthy sheiks.

Stronger legislation has helped increase the number of falcons in the wild however they are still persecuted for preying on game birds and racing pigeons.

Their eggs have also previously been stolen to order for private collections and falconry.