Trespasser caught with gun on wedding venue estate near Bridgnorth

Ross Pittam, aged 28, was found on the Davenport Estate in Worfield, Bridgnorth, with the weapon after the gamekeeper heard gunshots coming from the woods.

Police said that along with Pittam another man was found hiding, carrying a loaded air rifle, on November 24 last year. Officers were then called to the estate, which is home to the Davenport House stately home, popular among couples getting married.

Further inspections of the area were carried out and officers located the defendant’s car, which contained another air rifle. The firearms were seized.

Pittam claimed he was given permission to hunt pigeons on the private land, but was unable to provide details of who had given him the permission.

Pittam, of Woodbridge Close, Bloxwich, Walsall, was found guilty of trespassing on land with an air weapon, and possessing an air weapon in a public place on October 15. He has now been sentenced at Telford Magistrates Court to 200 hours of unpaid work and ordered to pay £715 in court costs. He also had to surrender his guns.

No further action was taken against the second man found on the estate.

PC Phillip Nock of West Mercia Police said: “We welcome the outcome of this case and are pleased with the sentencing that was handed down. Generally speaking, convictions relating to wildlife crimes in the UK remains relatively low, so this is a really positive outcome and we hope this will lead as an example to anyone who doesn’t think there are consequences to this sort of crime.”

If you’ve witnessed or been the victim of crime, it can be reported via 101 or online.

Alternatively, if you have information but don’t feel comfortable speaking to police, you can speak to the independent charity Crimestoppers. It is 100 per cent anonymous, they never ask your name and they cannot trace your call or IP address. You can visit crimestoppers-uk.org or call 0800 555 111.