Peter Brown was sentenced at Kirkcaldy Sheriff Court after being found guilty of two breaches of the Protection of Badgers Act in Leslie, Glenrothes.

The court heard that on 4 April 2021 Mr Brown had levelled part of a sett on the perimeter of a field at Ingrie Farm with an excavator. He then placed boulders at the entrance to obstruct access to the sett.

Mr Brown did this without any regard to the consequences of his actions.

His actions were uncovered when a walker alerted a local environmentalist to the damage. He attended with a specialist police wildlife officer. They managed to move one of the boulders from the entrance.

It is understood that the badgers survived.

Speaking after the sentencing, Deborah Carroll, assistant procurator fiscal, specialist casework, said: “Peter Brown’s actions were deliberate and carried out with a reckless disregard for the consequences they could have for a protected species.

“The law protects badgers from harm and COPFS will continue to work to ensure anyone who breaks the law faces prosecutorial action.”