Wakefield couple 'traded exotic pets on eBay'

A COUPLE accused of trading in dead endangered species including a lion cub and monkeys, have appeared in court.

Graham and Norah Pitchforth allegedly used eBay to trade in animals that also included crab-eating macaque monkeys, chacma baboons, the skulls of a pig-tailed Macaque monkey, a python, a spitting cobra, a Malaysian flying fox and a European porcupine as well as the skin and skull of an African penguin.

They are also accused with trying to sell a number of birds including kestrels, sparrowhawks, eagle owls, a rhinoceros hornbill and the skin of a barn owl.

The couple from Southfield Close, Wrenthorpe, Wakefield, face 51 charges related to buying, selling, importing and exporting endangered species from their home.

Prosecutor Andrew Bird told Wakefield Magistrates Court their home on was raided in December 2006 by officers from West Yorkshire Police alongside HM Revenue and Customs and the National Wildlife Crime Unit.

Silently

They were arrested and charged with trading in endangered animals, some listed among the most endangered in the world, Mr Bird told the court.

All the charges are alleged to have taken place between October 2005 and December 2006.

Graham Pitchforth, 60, and Norah Pitchforth, 64, pictured, stood silently in court as the list of charges was read out, speaking only to confirm names and addresses during the 15-minute hearing.

Mr Pitchforth is believed to have at been a lecturer in animal care at a local college.

The couple's case is expected to be sent to Leeds Crown Court next month.

The species list

The species listed on the Pitchforths' charge sheet included: sparrowhawk, little owl, tawny owl, buzzard, spotted eagle owl, pale chanting goshawk, baboon, European porcupine, crab-eating macaque monkey, pig-tailed macaque monkey, scarlet ibis, chacma baboon, above, python, above, spitting cobra, giant tree shrew, barn owl, African penguin, above, Yemen chameleon, yellow-billed kite, African lion cub, above, American otter, red lord amazon, blue and gold macaw, rhinoceros hornbill, snowy owl, kestrel, Malaysian flying foxes and various insects and butterflies.