A MAN from Abbots Langley is facing charges after large, exotic birds of prey, including eagles, fish owls, Brahminy kites and harriers, were stuffed into plastic tubes and placed in suitcases before being flown to London from Thailand.

A vet who examined the cargo seized by customs said the birds had been caused "gross cruelty and suffering" on the long journey.

When Heathrow customs officers opened two suitcases, they found 23 adult birds, "some dead and some very much the worse for wear", prosecutor Sir Derek Spencer QC told Isleworth Crown Court on Wednesday, October 24.

He said: "They had sustained pressure injuries being in the plastic tubes and struggling. They had all suffered from asphyxia and hypothermia. Six of the birds were dead on arrival and two more died later."

Opening a trial expected to last six to eight weeks, Sir Derek told the jury: "This case concerns the smuggling, keeping for sale and selling of, endangered species, mainly birds of prey and small animals.

"They were smuggled into this country by air from Thailand."

In the dock were Wayne Standley, 37, of Chapel Way, Abbotts Langley, and Raymond Humphrey, 52, of Tilney All Saints, Norfolk, who both deny being knowingly concerned in the smuggling of a large number of endangered species of birds of prey into the UK at Heathrow Airport on July 25 last year.

Peora Jungthirapanica, 23, a Thai student from Derby, has admitted the charge and will be sentenced at the end of the trial.

Humphrey alone denies a further 22 charges, all relating to the handling of endangered species.

Sir Derek told the court: "The birds and animals were taken to Humphrey's premises in Norfolk where he kept them for sale, advertising them in the columns of Cage and Aviary.

"In addition, he kept other endangered species and the motive for all this was financial gain. It was done to make money because these endangered species are very valuable."

Birds that could be obtained for as little as £200 in Thailand could sell here for as much as £5,000, he added.

Customs officers arrested all three at Heathrow's Terminal Three car park where Jugthirapanica and Standley were being met by Humphrey having flown in from Bangkok.

"They had two suitcases each containing plastic tubes in which there were 23 birds of prey," Sir Derek said.

At the same time, other officers were searching Humphrey's Norfolk premises with help from the RSPCA and "various birds of prey, small animals and documents were seized", he continued.

The business, known as Clouds Falconry, was run with his wife Sheila, 51, on six acres of land where they lived in a caravan, while Standley, an unemployed builder, renovated their home and constructed cages and aviaries.

Jungthirapanica stayed there during his university holidays.

"What brought them together was a strong interest in birds of prey," said counsel.

Standley had 28 owls of his own at his Abbots Langley home,"about which there is no complaint".

Humphrey made four visits to Thailand and on one, he and Jungthirapanica approached the Thai Royal Forestry Department to be told no permits would be granted to export birds of prey to the UK.

"They then decided to get round the law by smuggling the birds. No certificates or permits have been applied for or granted to these defendants in respect of birds or animals at the time of these offences.

"The three defendants were quite well aware of the law on endangered species." The trial continues.

October 30, 2001 15:30