Tortoise smugglers busted at Stansted Airport
ARRESTS have been made following an attempt to smuggle seven tortoises through Stansted Airport. Two people have been charged with a total of 42 offences in relation to the illegal importation of endangered tortoises to the UK. Michael Gates and Carol Wor
ARRESTS have been made following an attempt to smuggle seven tortoises through Stansted Airport.
Two people have been charged with a total of 42 offences in relation to the illegal importation of endangered tortoises to the UK.
Michael Gates and Carol Wormley, both aged 42 from Woodend Road, Walthamstow, east London, were arrested at the Essex hub on Friday July 17, after arriving on a flight from Corfu.
Seven tortoises were found in their hand and hold luggage.
Both will appear before magistrates in Chelmsford tomorrow (Wednesday October 28).
All charges against them fall under the Animal Welfare Act 2006.
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Gates and Wormley have both been charged with one count of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, six counts of failing to ensure animal welfare, seven counts of possessing an animal taken from the wild and seven counts of transporting an animal taken from the wild.
