A TRADER caught dealing in rare and endangered species - including a snowy owl and sperm whale’s teeth - has been jailed for 24 weeks.

Part-time swimming teacher Aaron Halstead, 24, was told at Burnley Crown Court that his illegal trading, which also saw him picking up dolphin and cougar skulls, sustained poachers.

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Wildlife campaigners said yesterday’s prison term sent out a ‘clear message’ that dealers must be extra-cautious when buying and selling endangered animals or relics.

Jailing him, Judge Beverley Lunt said: “Without people like you there would be no illegal trade in threatened and endangered species.

“That’s why the courts have to send out a message to those who source these animals, for profit or to satiate the desires of people like you.”

Emma Kehoe, prosecuting, said that Halstead first came to the attention of the National Wildlife Crime Unit (NWCU) when he was given a police caution in 2011, for a similar offence.

An officer even gave him his business card and advised him, if he was ever unsure about future purchases, that he could contact the unit and be steered in the right direction.

But the court heard the unit received a tip-off that Halstead was continuing to trade in rare breeds and an investigation was launched.

His family home in Burnley was raided last year, from which he ran Halstead Taxidermy, and a number of specimens were recovered.

Four samples were found to have been acquired illegally - three sperm whale’s teeth, a dolphin skull, a cougar skull and snowy owl.

Halstead, of Glen View Road, Burnley pleaded guilty to three offences of purchasing an endangered species, contrary to EU regulations, and one charge of offering the snowy owl for sale.

Gerard Doran, defending, said: “This has been a really steep learning curve for this young man.”

Halstead’s grandfather had been a gamekeeper and introduced the defendant to taxidermy, triggering an interest which led to him forming his own company, which had made a number of genuine and legal acquisitions, he told the court.

Mr Doran added: “He bought these items through bona fide auction houses, though he accepts by his plea that it was up to him to conduct the necessary due diligence for them.”

But Judge Lunt blasted Halstead, after reading his pre-sentence report, in which it appeared that he ‘struggled’ to accept he had done anything wrong, and sought to blame auctioneers for his predicament.

“The court has to have regard to the fact that for every year poaching and this illegal trade continues, it imperils these endangered species,” added Judge Lunt.

Speaking after the case, PC Nigel Keates, a Police wildlife officer, said: “You take no joy out of someone going to prison in these circumstances but there is a clear message being sent out here.”

Andy McWilliam, of the NWCU, who advised on the case, added: “People cannot just pick and choose when they want to comply with the law here. Halstead was a trader, and not a taxidermist, it has to be said.”