Sabs Investigation (TV, Radio & Papers)

[GriffMJ]

Hi All

Just to let you know that I will be appearing on the "East Midlands Today" News slot tonight talking about Sabs's and his demise. There will also be an article in the "Leicester Mercury" in the next day or so about it as well and BBC Radio Leicester will also be featuring this within their news items.

It looks as though its going to go National (I hope it does) ...will keep you informed.

[Saker-Clive]

Great news Griff; I was going to pm you about it and how things were panning out...................................any news?

pm me if you don't want to broadcast it too much:wink:

[Finnish]

Good one hope all goes well.....:supz:


Lee

[Sprout]

Hope you get the result you want - good luck mate

[Jackson]

i was just thinking of you and how you were doing mate!!!! well ill check the news but prob wont get it my end but will check the websites etc!! good on you for making it to the news too!!!

[UKJay74]

good luck griff hope you get he result you want with this

[GriffMJ]

Hi All

If you cant get "East Midlands today" regional News then you can watch the latest News Bullitin on this link

http://www.bbc.co.uk/england/eastmidlandstoday/index.shtml

You will need Real Player to watch it.... and the News Bullitin will be updated after this evenings News has gone out :) You will also need a Broadband connection...

[Jackson]

cheers for the link!!! im sure many will watch including moi! good luck with it!

[Saker-Clive]

What time Griff, 18:00 ?

[GriffMJ]

Hi Clive

Yes ....around 6.... the BBC evening news always has a break in it for Regional news...so what ever time that is :)

[Jackson]

Hi Clive

Yes ....around 6.... the BBC evening news always has a break in it for Regional news...so what ever time that is :)
basically anytime after 7 as i think thats when the news finnishes!!

[Saker-Clive]

Cheers Griff,:supz:

[Osiris]

i take it the news clip wont be available on the net till later tonight/tomorrow... just watched the one available just now. nothing on it for what i could see whilst browsing through the clip

[GriffMJ]

i take it the news clip wont be available on the net till later tonight/tomorrow... just watched the one available just now. nothing on it for what i could see whilst browsing through the clip

Yes the current news bullitin on the website is old..... it should be updated after this evenings news :)

[Pitbull]

Sky 980

[Jackson]

Sky 980

????

[GriffMJ]

Its Headline News on East midlands today :) Hopefully this will bring somebody forward who might have seen something!

[TheZuffler]

Its on East Midlands Today at 6.30pm on BBC1, just seen it advertised!! It's good news they want to do a piece on it! Makes me F***ING mad thinking about it though!!

[Fawkes]

Good luck Griff, I've been wondering how things were going. He looked like a great bird.

[GriffMJ]

:?: :?: :?: What the F**K....they started with it ....but didnt show the piece????

[TheZuffler]

:?: :?: :?: What the F**K....they started with it ....but didnt show the piece????

I personally know one of the presenters, I will be having a word!!:x

[Kennelre]

Did I have some sort of 'mental fade out' ? they flagged up the item and then didn't show it..who cares about the eateries in Nottingham or that presenters rather strange taste in hosiery. Sorry for that!

[GriffMJ]

Every one start e-mailing East Midlands Today @ emt@bbc.co.uk and start complaining...... that is just SO out of order!!!!

This is what I have just sent to them:----

Dear Sir/Madam

On the Evening news “Trailer” for the East Midlands Today regional news programme you advertised a piece about a “Was this Falcon killed for its electronics” . Can you tell me why this piece was not shown on the programme that has just finished???? I am the owner of the Falcon and I am concerned that the item has been “pulled” if so….can you tell me the reason why….if not when is the piece going to be shown?

[ButeHawk]

Griff I have sent e-mail as suggested. Best of luck and I am sorry for your loss.

[TheZuffler]

Just sent this e-mail, every forum member even out of the area, please do the same.

I was watching the advertisement for EMT during the 6 o’clock news. A piece regarding a falcon killed for its electronic tagging (telemetry) was featured. However when I watched EMT I saw nothing of this piece, just **** about eating food in Nottingham, a young gymnast that may come good in 10 years, a presenter throwing litter out his car and how to make a cup of tea FFS. Will this advertised piece be shown? I watched avidly for an advertised feature, only to be told instead use two spoonfuls of Darjeeling when making a cup of tea for best results!! Get your act together!!

Phil

[UKJay's Nursey]

Ive also sent an email too:twisted:


To whom it may concern


This evening news!!!
You showed a trailer for a Falcon possibly killed for its electronics yet when watching the show the article was not present..?
Surely this article would have been more informative and Newsworthy than the articles for littering and best places to eat in nottingham, or cups of tea!!! that was shown in its place

will this article be shown again and if so when ?.


very annoyed Lady Falconer

[Kennelre]

I have emailed also

[Pitbull]

????

Sky 980 is east midlands tv for the none locals sorry that wasnt clear i was in a rush to go to my daughters parent evening. Doing her choices for 3rd/ 4th year

[GaryPCO]

just sent an email also good luck griff.....

ive been waiting for the piece about the falcon that was killed for its telemetry,what happened to it i think its very unprofessional to advertise a piece and then not show it,theres a great deal of people waiting for the clip to be shown,when is it being shown and what link to view it on .....

Regards

[GriffMJ]

Hi All

Ok...well the next Evening News by EMT is between 10:00 - 10:30pm... lets see what happens in that slot?!

[Finnish]

Fingers crossed hey..;-)

[Blaze]

Iv sent one too Griff!

All The Best!...;-)

[Midland hawker]

Hi all. . . Very disappointed it wasnt shown. . .:-x will be awaiting to see what is shown on the later news programme. . . .

[Kentish Falconry]

Every one start e-mailing East Midlands Today @ emt@bbc.co.uk and start complaining...... that is just SO out of order!!!!

This is what I have just sent to them:----

Dear Sir/Madam

On the Evening news “Trailer” for the East Midlands Today regional news programme you advertised a piece about a “Was this Falcon killed for its electronics” . Can you tell me why this piece was not shown on the programme that has just finished???? I am the owner of the Falcon and I am concerned that the item has been “pulled” if so….can you tell me the reason why….if not when is the piece going to be shown?

Just sent my e- mail in as well
Good Luck Griff

[Jackson]

Sky 980 is east midlands tv for the none locals sorry that wasnt clear i was in a rush to go to my daughters parent evening. Doing her choices for 3rd/ 4th year

ok i thought it was but jus had to check!! hope your daughters parents evening went ok!!

hang on so you mean it wont be in that link Griff??? ive got it playing now but so far nothing -arggghhhhh!! im sending my email for you mate!!!

[GriffMJ]

Well....nothing on the late news either..... they are going to get a right gob full from me in the morning..... fkin wasting my time like that ....what a bunch of muppets.....

Just goes to show lads and lasses....nobody gives a S**T if your falcon gets lured down, his leg broken and left in a box in agony for two hours and then gets his head pulled off then his transmitter stolen......

The bloke who did this is getting away with it...the Police have not taken statements from anyone its three weeks since Sabs was killed and i have had no visit from the plod or any indication that they are actually doing anything about it...apart from asking me to send some photos to the police press department.....THATS ALL ........ so if it hapens to you....expect the same treatment!!!!!!!

The irony is that we know who did it.... I have given the plod a description of him and where he is..... and still nothing!!!

[Sprout]

Is it worth putting in a complaint that they've not taken it seriously?

[TheZuffler]

Griff can you remember the name of the reporter? Phone the BBC and ask the reporter why it was pulled, because they will be ****ed aswell, journos like to have there piece broadcast.

[GriffMJ]

Its on TODAY!!! Just seen a trailer for it on the 1 o clock news..... so it should run all day...thanks to all who e-mailed :D

[Jackson]

Its on TODAY!!! Just seen a trailer for it on the 1 o clock news..... so it should run all day...thanks to all who e-mailed :D

will it be on the link now or later!!!! wahoo - bet they got bombared with emails titled falcon!! LOL!! hope they show it for you Griff!!! if they dont ill send another one as will many others im sure!!

[Bod]

Griff
As a plod myself I suggest you contact the Professional Standards Department Leicestershire Police and tell them you want to make a complaint.
I get so ****ed off with other Police Officers not taking things seriously. I tell everyone to complain if not satisfied its the only way to get things moving.
Then they wonder why incidents go unreported?

Good luck and keep at em

[UKJay's Nursey]

just saw it on lunchtime news was a good piece griff

lets just hope others have seen it and contact police too

[GriffMJ]

Hi All

Here is the article in the "Leicester Mercury" (http://www.thisisleicestershire.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=132407&command=displayContent&sourceNode=132390&contentPK=14106754&moduleName=InternalSearch&formname=sidebarsearch) today, Page three in the paper...and lead on the front page.

[GriffMJ]

Couple of clip Pics from the news report...it will be on again at 6:30pm and 10:30pm

http://www.m-jhoods.co.uk/images/TV/tv1.JPG

http://www.m-jhoods.co.uk/images/TV/tv2.JPG

[UKJay74]

good to see the piece was shown lets hope it brings someone comes forward with information

[UKJay's Nursey]

well i just recieved an email from kevin hill asst news editor apologising for dropping the story last night, actually surprised me that someone wrote back and it was an automated response.

[Kentish Falconry]

Hi All............Reply from e-mail
Terry

Thank you for your e-mail, which has reached me via one of our online sites. I'm sorry we had to disappoint our viewers with the non-appearance of the story about the falcon yesterday. We had to deal with two problems with this item - firstly, we discovered there were technical difficulties with the film shortly before we went on air. We managed to sort this out, but we were then confronted with another problem - we couldn't fit in the report as we were running out of time. I had to take the decision to drop the report even though we had "trailed" it in the Six O'Clock News.

I don't like disappointing and confusing our viewers, so I apologise for raising your expectations. The item was broadcast this lunchtime, and I believe will be running in this evening's programme. In hindsight, I should have asked the last night's presenters to apologise for the story being dropped, and point out that we would be running it the following day.

Thank you for contacting us,

Kevin Hill
Assistant News Editor
East Midlands Today
0115-9021917

[Blaze]

Yeh i got one as well!..:D

[BFC 007]

Griff-whos that man in your chair lol :supz:

[GriffMJ]

Hi All

Sorry just got back from a poss Male Harris Hawk in an orchard close by...been there for week apparently.... so I have left him some chicks to munch on in the hope that tomorrow I get a phone call.

Yes I got the e-mail as well :) People power works!!! Thanks all for your input.... I think they got the message :!:

[Kennelre]

I received the same email as others, but was pleased to see the article in the Leicester Mercury. Its so very tragic.

[GriffMJ]

Griff-whos that man in your chair lol :supz:

Cheeky git!!! Thought I looked "Swave and de-boner" :D

[Jackson]

i got the smae email!!! just shows theres power in numbers!!! glad they showed it for you griff!!

[Jackson]

will it be on the link later????

[BrianM]

Cheeky git!!! Thought I looked "Swave and de-boner" :D


tell you what griff you dont look anything like i expected,, i thought of you as a david bellamy character smoking a pipe:lol: lol

[GriffMJ]

Hi All

Well...prime time....you cant ask better than that! Lets hope we get some feed back from the public now :)

[Goldie]

Griff, its apparent you know who done it but there are others protecting him. Have you thought about flushing one of them out by offering a reward leading to conviction. I am sure someone will shop him for a price.
This ****** needs brought to task.
If you want to start a fighting fund, you can put me down for a £100

[FlameHairedFalconer]

Just caught the end of it Griff. You did look suave and debonair ( :lol: )

Hope it helps bring the ******** responsible to justice.

FHF

[Jackson]

Griff, its apparent you know who done it but there are others protecting him. Have you thought about flushing one of them out by offering a reward leading to conviction. I am sure someone will shop him for a price.
This ****** needs brought to task.
If you want to start a fighting fund, you can put me down for a £100

ill second that (tho my donation will be minimal as im skint but im willing to help in any way possible!!)

[GriffMJ]

Hi All

Just sent this to Kevin Hill @ East Midlands Today......

Hi Kevin

Re: Sabs

Many, many thanks for the item shown at lunchtime and this evening. Many falconers around the UK, USA & EU know about Sabs and have followed his progress in training and were horrified to find out what happened to him. Its vital that I/we do all we can for Sabs in order to bring the culprit to book as no falconers bird will be safe in the East Midlands if this person is not apprehended.

You might be interested to know that because of what’s happened to Sabs the IBR (Independent Bird Register) has started a registration scheme for falconry Telemetry to go some way in the prevention of theft and harm to our raptors. The IBR covers the registration of raptors and exotic birds for the UK and the Republic of Ireland so, as you may appreciate, this move by the IBR is a big undertaking.

Thank you very much for your help and could you please thank the reporter that compiled the piece. She was very understanding and also put across her interest in the subject.

Best regards
Griff Morgan-Jones

[Jackson]

just caught the clip!!! good report - lets hope it got the message across!!

[GriffMJ]

Hi All

Well the report starts at 12mins 20 secs in real player @ this link EMT (http://www.bbc.co.uk/derby/realmedia/eastmidlandstoday/emt.ram)

Does anyone have the capabilty of video capture to make into an MPG or similar video file?

[Red-Devil]

Griff, its apparent you know who done it but there are others protecting him. Have you thought about flushing one of them out by offering a reward leading to conviction. I am sure someone will shop him for a price.
This ****** needs brought to task.
If you want to start a fighting fund, you can put me down for a £100
now thats a good idea

[GriffMJ]

Ok....... i will set about getting advice from the Police and if they think its a good idea then it might be the tool to flush them out with?

Thats incredibly kind of you Jim (Goldie) thank you very much for your pledge and the idea.

I can fly poster the entrance to the building site with it :!: If I get the go ahead...that will surley flush the "scroat" out.

[BillyBird]

Hi griff, saw news both nights the one where east midlands failed to present your item after showing initial clip and then tonights report.feel really sick for you mate honestly. am fairly close to you so if i can help in any way please let me know. funds are low but if a fund is started can put in fifty quid only wish it could be more, hope like all the other lads that you get a good result. am sad sad sad this could ever have happened. theres a lot o logic in the saudis chopping heads and hands off.
kind regards
billybird

[GriffMJ]

Hi griff, saw news both nights the one where east midlands failed to present your item after showing initial clip and then tonights report.feel really sick for you mate honestly. am fairly close to you so if i can help in any way please let me know. funds are low but if a fund is started can put in fifty quid only wish it could be more, hope like all the other lads that you get a good result. am sad sad sad this could ever have happened. theres a lot o logic in the saudis chopping heads and hands off.
kind regards
billybird

Hi BillyBird

Thanks for your support, its much appreciated. The worst thing is the guy we think did this is still working on the building site next to Wyevale Garden centre ....me and "Sibbo" whent to see the site foreman and were basically bluffed & BS'd ....it was obvious that they were covering for the scroat..... there is one guy that would spill the beans and thats the landscape gardener Boss that was working at the top of the hill near the entrance....BUT his two lads working on my flying field at the time were involved....so he will be protecting them and his company and his JOB.... but I am more than convinced that he saw the whole thing. The police have not been to my house to talk to me in person yet so I STILL have not been able to put the whole story across to the Law yet!!!!

[Midland hawker]

Hi Griff, Saw the nwes today and am well chuffed it has been shown. Saw the mercury also and told everyone to watch the news tonight and everyone I ve spoken to about it, even non hawkers are totally disgusted and give there support. .

[UKJay's Nursey]

Hi All

Well the report starts at 12mins 20 secs in real player @ this link EMT (http://www.bbc.co.uk/derby/realmedia/eastmidlandstoday/emt.ram)

Does anyone have the capabilty of video capture to make into an MPG or similar video file?

jay gonna check his stuff and see if he can do it:D

[TheZuffler]

Griff, you have all our support, people power got the piece on Sabs put back on the news. Lets have names of these cover-up companies and do the same, this **** should never get away with this. Inform the companies the type of people they are employing!!:evil: :evil: :evil:

[Bengal Owl]

hard to put in to words what u are filling one of the hardest things is talking about in front of the camera, hope you get the answers and people involved in this with the publicity

[Goose]

Griff, I probably won't get to see the report down hear but bloody well done you!! you have kept going when some would have given up. I bet the b*****d that did this never thought it would go this far!!

RESPECT :supz: :supz:

[Jackson]

Griff, I probably won't get to see the report down hear but bloody well done you!! you have kept going when some would have given up. I bet the b*****d that did this never thought it would go this far!!

RESPECT :supz: :supz:

check out the link on the first page about 3/4s of the way down!!! its atleats 14 mins in but it is there!!!

[Goose]

Cheers Amazon

[Welsh Steve]

Cheers Amazon
Seen the report on sky although im in wales done yourself proud hope it helps to catch the txxt

[Red-Devil]

Griff, its apparent you know who done it but there are others protecting him. Have you thought about flushing one of them out by offering a reward leading to conviction. I am sure someone will shop him for a price.
This ****** needs brought to task.
If you want to start a fighting fund, you can put me down for a £100
stick me down for a ton as well

[ButeHawk]

Griff Just watched the clip on computer. Good luck to you and I hope you nail the B*****D.
Regards
ROGER

[BillyBird]

griff are these pieces of **** from sileby area? theres a couple from there have birds, they or at least one is a brickie on building sites and i know at least the one who walks the local area across fields to variouse building sites. he used to walk across the fields to loughboro when he was on a site there. might well be the wrong guy but problem is not all bop owners are carefull about who they mix with as long as their stuff is ok. dont mind walking the local area with my bird manning him up if it helps somebody may let somthing slip it does happen. offer is there if you think it is usefull and wont hamper things.
kind regards billybird.

[GriffMJ]

griff are these pieces of **** from sileby area? theres a couple from there have birds, they or at least one is a brickie on building sites and i know at least the one who walks the local area across fields to variouse building sites. he used to walk across the fields to loughboro when he was on a site there. might well be the wrong guy but problem is not all bop owners are carefull about who they mix with as long as their stuff is ok. dont mind walking the local area with my bird manning him up if it helps somebody may let somthing slip it does happen. offer is there if you think it is usefull and wont hamper things.
kind regards billybird.

Hi BillyBird

Thats interesting.... because of where Sabs was found (Back Lane Railway Bridge, Cossington) ...it must have been a "Local" ....as its not a well known area... the guy we think has done it ...has a piercing in his left eye brow he is a worker on the building site next to the Wyevale Garden Centre...he keeps Harris Hawks and a Gos. Also ....there is a footpath from the field onto that pedestrian crossing on the railway? We know the guy was in a Van and got out on top of the Railway bridge....but he must have had local knowledge in order to go to that place.

[Miggy]

sory mate cnt get to watch the news report comuter keeps telling me to naff off, but hope it flushes the f****rs out for you n hope they get wot they deserve!

[BillyBird]

will see what i can find out for you. this youth has got or had no peircings a while back but your area is not big only little pockets of areas so to speak so i would say that most of the geezers in the building trade would know each other through trying to keep finding who is setting who on workwise. strange thing too is the one youth i got to know from sileby albeit only slightly had a harris male 1st bird and within five mins had gone onto a falcon so i heard. bit bitty i know but a start. he also knew another couple of local lads with birds and i always promised to get together for flying but never did, so i never met the others, always got the impression they were all close though as villagers normally are.
will stop by and see you if thats ok.

bb

[GriffMJ]

will see what i can find out for you. this youth has got or had no peircings a while back but your area is not big only little pockets of areas so to speak so i would say that most of the geezers in the building trade would know each other through trying to keep finding who is setting who on workwise. strange thing too is the one youth i got to know from sileby albeit only slightly had a harris male 1st bird and within five mins had gone onto a falcon so i heard. bit bitty i know but a start. he also knew another couple of local lads with birds and i always promised to get together for flying but never did, so i never met the others, always got the impression they were all close though as villagers normally are.
will stop by and see you if thats ok.

bb

Ok BB.... just give me a ring to let me know when :grin:

[BillyBird]

cheers griff will do that.
kind regards bb

[Kennelre]

I'd advise caution about who you name on an open site as it could compromise the possibility of a conviction or leave you in receipt of a charge if any 'harm' comes to the person concerned. Two ways to deal with this really and if you favour the legal route then the publicity is a brilliant start but the momentum needs to be kept up. I'd whack posters up everywhere, offer a reward (but only if it results in a conviction because they will need to testify) and hassle the police absolutely non stop until they do something concrete.I don't know you but I can't stand cruelty so if I can be of any help?.....

[GriffMJ]

I'd advise caution about who you name on an open site as it could compromise the possibility of a conviction or leave you in receipt of a charge if any 'harm' comes to the person concerned. Two ways to deal with this really and if you favour the legal route then the publicity is a brilliant start but the momentum needs to be kept up. I'd whack posters up everywhere, offer a reward (but only if it results in a conviction because they will need to testify) and hassle the police absolutely non stop until they do something concrete.I don't know you but I can't stand cruelty so if I can be of any help?.....

Hi Kennelre

Good point...I dont think any name has been given out...not that any name is known either.... I for one would NOT name any person on an open forum...even if it was the guy who did it.... the depth of feeling that this has generated is obvious and I want the FULL weight of the Law on this guy ....so I am not going to do anything that might prejudice a conviction. But ...what I will do is try and gather as much information as possible , be it concrete or hearsay, as amongst it will lie the truth.

[TheZuffler]

I'd advise caution about who you name on an open site as it could compromise the possibility of a conviction or leave you in receipt of a charge if any 'harm' comes to the person concerned. Two ways to deal with this really and if you favour the legal route then the publicity is a brilliant start but the momentum needs to be kept up. I'd whack posters up everywhere, offer a reward (but only if it results in a conviction because they will need to testify) and hassle the police absolutely non stop until they do something concrete.I don't know you but I can't stand cruelty so if I can be of any help?.....

I agree an open forum is not the place to name individuals in this situation with regard to jeopardising a conviction. However e-mails sent to the HR department of companies that employ this/these individuals describing the feeling that Sabs death has caused, may make the companies firstly think twice about employing the indivdual(s) and secondly they may help in gathering the evidence required to gain conviction.

[GriffMJ]

Hi All

Thanks to "Zuffler" the EMT interview can now be downloaded from my website from the "Press Release" page. Its a 7mb MPG file.

Cheers Zuff :D

[StormRider]

Sorry to hear about yr loss Griff. What is the state of play with the Police at the moment? Have they been out to see you?

STU

[GriffMJ]

Sorry to hear about yr loss Griff. What is the state of play with the Police at the moment? Have they been out to see you?

STU

No ...the Police have not been to see me yet....the ONLY thing they have done is passed on info to their press office...hence the TV & Papers & Radio..... but i STILL have not seen a Policeman yet.

[Jackson]

No ...the Police have not been to see me yet....the ONLY thing they have done is passed on info to their press office...hence the TV & Papers & Radio..... but i STILL have not seen a Policeman yet.

id keep ringing or going down there personally and bug them till they do something!!

[GriffMJ]

Hi All

This will give you an idea of the ground on the 8th of Feb 2006...
http://www.m-jhoods.co.uk/images/TV/tv3.JPG

Dear Mr Morgan-Jones

I am sorry to hear of the loss of you falcon.

We will obviously cooperate fully with the police in this matter and I have asked our main contractor on site for a report.

Yours sincerely

Jason Harris

Associate Director - Development

Rosemound Developments Ltd

[Talon]

keep hounding them griff .dont let it drop.let them know the amount of publicety this as created.
they probabley thinking that you will give up in the end .
but keep the pressure on m8.all the best.

[Kennelre]

Clearly you're never going to give up, I did similar on behalf of my dog a few years back although it nearly drove me quite mad. Hope it helps that you know how much support you have. Your photo tells it's own story and the company should be doing it's own internal investigation because they will not want the publicity. Continuing good luck..but your results are down to your own perserverence and I admire that greatly.

[Jackson]

griff that diagram of sabs last movement is good evidence!! what have the poilce said!! its very convincing and probably could be used in court!! have the police done any more??
regards
litle sarah

[GriffMJ]

griff that diagram of sabs last movement is good evidence!! what have the poilce said!! its very convincing and probably could be used in court!! have the police done any more??
regards
litle sarah

Hi Sarah

A couple of things have come in....police are STILL dragging their heels....usual BS of not enough time etc.... I am still plugging away though... I am turning up the pressure and the pain in the arse factor.... if they wont ..I will sort of thing....if I give him enough to go on then there is no excuse (not that there is anyway)

[Jackson]

Hi Sarah

A couple of things have come in....police are STILL dragging their heels....usual BS of not enough time etc.... I am still plugging away though... I am turning up the pressure and the pain in the arse factor.... if they wont ..I will sort of thing....if I give him enough to go on then there is no excuse (not that there is anyway)

good on ya!! id be the same!!! keep annoying them till they finnaly give in!!! they cant do anyhting for you being persistant!! and that diagram should sure come in handy!!

[GriffMJ]

Hi All

This was in the Loughborough Echo on the the 3rd of March.... (its in my "Press Release" on my webby for bigger picture)

http://www.m-jhoods.co.uk/images/TV/tv4s.JPG

[Coedhirion]

So did the police ever go and look in the site for evidence of the bird, or to ask the employees etc. If they are still doing nothing I suspect it is because they recon they haven't got any evidence against any one, but it is there job. Ok there may be some more important cases, but they are probably also wasting their time on far less important too. It isn't just the loss of this bird, the blighter is a risk to ALL BOPs he spots.
I recon a nice little piece in the news stating how little the police appear to have done (or the threat of it) may jolly them up a bit.
Keep at it, the s.d deserves to get caught and what else he deserves can't be written here.
All the best !!!!

[GriffMJ]

Hi All

To get the "Leicester Mercury" to sit up and take more notice of this story... start adding your comments to this link... Sabs: Leicester Mercury (http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=132407&command=displayContent&sourceNode=132390&contentPK=14106754&moduleName=InternalSearch&formname=sidebarsearch) Lets get some Forum Power going!

[UKJay's Nursey]

done mine:D
come on peeps get writing:supz:

[Saker-Clive]

Me too:supz:

[Talon]

and me:supz:

[Jackson]

ive done mine Griff!!

[Osiris]

i've done mine too Griff.

[Hells99]

Did mine Griff!

Helen :supz:

[TiercelJim]

griff,did you find anything out about getting a copy of the crossings cctv?
jim.

[GriffMJ]

Hi Jim

I am not allowed to say anything about finer details of the ongoing investigation.


Reminder to all:---->

To get the "Leicester Mercury" to sit up and take more notice of this story... start adding your comments to this link... Sabs: Leicester Mercury (http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=132407&command=displayContent&sourceNode=132390&contentPK=14106754&moduleName=InternalSearch&formname=sidebarsearch) Lets get some Forum Power going!

[Shannor]

I've posted a comment on the news story too! I sure hope this'll get the police to stop dragging their heels!

[GriffMJ]

Hi All

Finally ...1 month to the day.... the Police have gone down to the building site!


Reminder to all:---->

To get the "Leicester Mercury" to sit up and take more notice of this story... start adding your comments to this link... Sabs: Leicester Mercury (http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=132407&command=displayContent&sourceNode=132390&contentPK=14106754&moduleName=InternalSearch&formname=sidebarsearch) Lets get some Forum Power going!

[Coedhirion]

Hi All

Finally ...1 month to the day.... the Police have gone down to the building site!


Reminder to all:---->

To get the "Leicester Mercury" to sit up and take more notice of this story... start adding your comments to this link... Sabs: Leicester Mercury (http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=132407&command=displayContent&sourceNode=132390&contentPK=14106754&moduleName=InternalSearch&formname=sidebarsearch) Lets get some Forum Power going!

And what do they think will be left at the place after all this time!!
Any evidence or forensic will be so long gone!! Along with every ones memory as they wont want to get involved because that is the way things are nowadays. It makes you want to .... If the idea was to sell the transmitter the person will try it again if they get half a chance unless they think they could get caught with it.
I hope you do nail this person (to a tree by their ... would be good)

[WeeDodger]

This forum has over 1900 members - its time for everyone to contact the paper concerned to voice support for GriffMJ.

Is it not possible for the boards mods to sent an email with a link to the paper to all members?

If not , follow Griffs link.........it only takes a minute.
Lets hope plod comes good with a result.

[KevGem1]

just done it griff,all the best kev.:wink:

[Jackson]

i dont want thi to stir any trouble for the investigation but is there a chance the culprit could be a member? i know its a long shot, but he could also have seen the posts on the website??

[BrianM]

done mine griff..

[GriffMJ]

i dont want thi to stir any trouble for the investigation but is there a chance the culprit could be a member? i know its a long shot, but he could also have seen the posts on the website??

All things are possible...but I have given nothing in information allready given out. The basics of the case are well documented ... and I will not give any "detail" out on the forum or by any other means.

Reminder to all, if you have not done so already (Many thanks to all that have :D ):---->

To get the "Leicester Mercury" to sit up and take more notice of this story... start adding your comments to this link... Sabs: Leicester Mercury (http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=132407&command=displayContent&sourceNode=132390&contentPK=14106754&moduleName=InternalSearch&formname=sidebarsearch) Lets get some Forum Power going!

[Jackson]

All things are possible...but I have given nothing in information allready given out. The basics of the case are well documented ... and I will not give any "detail" out on the forum or by any other means.



well it was just a thought - if the sickminded git does see them maybe he'll come forward - so heres hoping!!!

glad the police have finally seen the sight!
better late than never i say

[Maxwell]

Fingers crossed - good to know they're taking an interest at last.

[GriffMJ]

Hi All

This is an e-mail I received this morning:

Mr Morgan Jones
I will make time to pay you a visit and obtain full details from you. As I stated previously I will not be gaining a statement from you at this point.
Unfortunately if no witnesses present themselves during this investigation that give me some firm evidence that this male is responsible, then I do not have the grounds to arrest him as the evidence we have is all circumstantial.
I am on duty today, 9/3/06 but will be at Leicester Crown Court all day, I am then on rest days and back on duty Tuesday next week.
I will make contact with you when I return to duty.
James Griffin
PC 1933.

My Reply:

PC Griffin
So what you are saying to me is, that in your opinion, this is a lost cause and you don’t feel that it's worth valuable police time?

The Leicester Mercury website page for Sabs's article is starting to fill up with comments....here are some of them:-

You're Views:
I've been following this story quite closely and can see no evidence of serious police intervention or investigation. As a member of public, and wildlife enthusiast, I should like to know that it is possible for such a beautiful creature to fly freely without being coaxed from the sky to be tormented and butchered. What course of action is the RSPCA taking to tackle such a gross act of cruelty? The lack of informed follow up would imply that the falconer is perhaps being left to his own devices in this matter? In this civilised society what is it suggested that we should do as individuals when we cannot trust that we will be appropriately represented by the judicial process? Both the falconer and his charge deserve better.
Rene, Leicestershire


This is a particularly disturbing story for this person's loss. It could happen to any falconer at any time and there are thousands of us out here, it's not the financial loss, it's the amount of love and dedication they have put into training this individual bird that was obviously a large part of their life. It seems to me that with a bit of police effort, this case could be solved and at least some solace for the aggrieved owner could be achieved.
Keith mills, Northumberland


As a fellow falconer I was horrified at the story of the falcon that was killed in such a cowardly way,, but for my fellow falconers no one can begin to understand the bond that we form with our charges, the hours spent with the bird gaining its trust so that when flown free it will return to us, I hope the coward who did this terrible act is caught and duly punished Mr Brian Murphy, Airdrie Scotland


In my opinion the people that are guilty of this horrendous crime should be dealt with by the full force of the law. And should not be allowed to get away with such cruelty to animals yours sincerely K Moss Kevin moss, St. Helens in the North West


This is a very frightening story - that someone with knowledge (albeit perhaps basic) of birds of Prey would do such a dreadful thing. Unfortunately there are many horror stories of cruelty to animals - I hope this is given the consideration that it deserves by those that have the authority to do something about it. I believe that there are a lot of interested parties (myself included) in this case that will be eager to hear the outcome of this.
Maxwell, Scotland


If the lowlife that carried out this shameful attack on a poor defenceless, beautiful bird of prey, I ask the question- What else is this excuse of a human being capable of? Surely the police must do there utmost to bring this culprit to boot. Crime against these majestic birds is on the increase, but the punishment when caught is usually minimal. I would urge the authorities to leave no stone unturned in collaring this barbaric idiot. My heartfelt sympathies goes out to the owner of this bird, of which no-one really knows the pain and despair which he, and his family/friends are going through. Please catch this thug before he strikes again.
Steve, Dundee


I may have only worked with birds of prey for a short while, but I understand how much work goes into forming a bond between a falconer and their bird. Why is it that the police are dragging their heels and not out there catching those heartless criminals? Surely they would not treat this the same way were it a horse, a cat, or a dog?
Sharon, Pittsburgh, USA (formerly Cambridge, UK)


As a fellow falconer, I completely understand the relationship Mr Morgan-Jones had with his falcon Sabs. The person responsible for this horrific act of murder should be apprehended and sent to jail. Police must do more to find the culprit! Sooner rather than later. My thoughts are with Mr M-Jones
Jamie, Scottish Borders


This is a sickening and tragic death!!! The person responsible obviously knows what's he's doing and should now the trust between the bird and man and he used this for a bit of radio equipment! I'm truly sickened! I hope the police are actually doing something about this awful crime!
Sarah, Crawley


This is a terrible and deliberate act of cruelty and must be taken serious as not only as this been talked about all over this country by fellow falconers. But has gone internationally all over the world via the web. The person responsible must be found and dealt with accordingly. This matter will not be left alone .not until the person as been found.
Mr k Levinson, Manchester


Totally disgusting; I hope the person(s) responsible get the full weight of the law on them. I trust the police ARE doing something. This needs keeping in the public's eye. The falconry community is a very tight knit one and stories like this travel quickly and our feelings are running high..............
Clive, Brighton, Sussex


have the police had any information to who has done this or the RSPCA for that matter to some its just a bird to others if there passion there family and there heart, the people involved in this should be punished both the RSPCA and the police should do there up most to bring them to court
Mr Lambert, London


This was a atrocious act of cruelty, and person/s who did this need to be punished in a court of law. I would also like to know how far the police have got in investigating this ordeal. Someone somewhere knows something and should do the decent thing and come forward. God bless Sabs xx
Tracie, Irthlingborough


I feel that every thing should be done to catch the person who did this. No Bird of Prey wearing equipment is safe from some one who could treat a bird like this just to obtain its tracking device. Some of these transmitters are traceable so if they come up for resale the original owner can be traced if they were reported as stolen.
Liz, Wales

[Shannor]

Good for you Griff! I hope this encourages them to actually work, instead of sitting at their desks drinking coffee, eating donuts, and tormenting the people they arrested for tax evasion ;)

[BushHawk]

have sent my bit.hope it helps,

[Graham Stuart]

Keep up the good work mate, if they jumped a red light or had a bald tyre the plods would be on thier backs in seconds, surely they could interview the suspected man without arresting him and at least see what he says. all the best Graham

[Big JoeJoe]

Done mine Griff hope it helps

ATB Joe

[Bod]

Keep up the good work mate, if they jumped a red light or had a bald tyre the plods would be on thier backs in seconds, surely they could interview the suspected man without arresting him and at least see what he says. all the best Graham

Quite right bald tyres and jumping red lights kill people!

If the Pc is not willing to at least interview the suspect and present the evidence to the CPS for a decision, complain that you don't think the investigation is being taken seriously.

Get the Leicester Mercury to do a follow up story.

If all else fails get a summons issued for criminal damage (loss of Sabs plus the hours you put in training him) through the small claims court, surely the BFC or someone would support you. The degree of proof required is a lot less at a civil court than a criminal court

[GriffMJ]

Hi All

Hi All

This is an e-mail I received this morning:

Mr Morgan Jones

I will make time to pay you a visit and obtain full details from you. As I stated previously I will not be gaining a statement from you at this point.
Unfortunately if no witnesses present themselves during this investigation that give me some firm evidence that this male is responsible, then I do not have the grounds to arrest him as the evidence we have is all circumstantial.
I am on duty today, 9/3/06 but will be at Leicester Crown Court all day, I am then on rest days and back on duty Tuesday next week.
I will make contact with you when I return to duty.
James Griffin
PC 1933.

My Reply:

PC Griffin
So what you are saying to me is, that in your opinion, this is a lost cause and you don’t feel that it's worth valuable police time?
The Leicester Mercury website page for Sabs's article is starting to fill up with comments....here are some of them:-


Reply: -

Mr Morgan-Jones,
This crime is being investigated fully as with all other crimes that I am investigating.
Any information that is passed to me with details of possible suspects will be pursued. This investigation will not be closed until all enquiries have been exhausted.
Regards
James Griffin
PC 1933

[Kevin Massey]

Appauling !!! this thread has been viewed nearly 4000 times and there has still only been 20 remarks made on this in total on the newspaper website !!!

cummon people please !!! 2 mins just to support a fellow falconer.

also dont do what i did and hit the refresh button 1/2 way through....:oops:

griff if you do go the route of offering a reward...i will be more than willing to contribute.

kevin

[Kevin Massey]

Reminder to all:---->To get the "Leicester Mercury" to sit up and take more notice of this story... start adding your comments to this link... Sabs: Leicester Mercury (http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=132407&command=displayContent&sourceNode=132390&contentPK=14106754&moduleName=InternalSearch&formname=sidebarsearch) Lets get some Forum Power going!


link

[Sprout]

Added my 2 pennies worth

[Ben C]

Done.....the link needs to be kept on every post or it may prove to hard for people to locate it.

Sabs: Leicester Mercury

[Bod]

Appauling !!! this thread has been viewed nearly 4000 times and there has still only been 20 remarks made on this in total on the newspaper website !!!

cummon people please !!! 2 mins just to support a fellow falconer.

also dont do what i did and hit the refresh button 1/2 way through....:oops:

griff if you do go the route of offering a reward...i will be more than willing to contribute.

kevin

Quite right Kev. Well said.

Come on lets do it for Griff and Sabs.

As for offering a reward to convict the culprit I will gladly contribute towards it if you think it will help.

[Kevin Massey]

if its a reward offered for information that leads to a conviction it will definatly be worth it

kev

Reminder to all:---->To get the "Leicester Mercury" to sit up and take more notice of this story... start adding your comments to this link... Sabs: Leicester Mercury (http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=132407&command=displayContent&sourceNode=132390&contentPK=14106754&moduleName=InternalSearch&formname=sidebarsearch) Lets get some Forum Power going!

[SakerYZF]

Added my thoughts on the matter.
hope things move swiftly for you.

[SakerYZF]

I'll spare you what i can, if you think it will help?

[Kevin Massey]

Reminder to all:---->To get the "Leicester Mercury" to sit up and take more notice of this story... start adding your comments to this link... Sabs: Leicester Mercury (http://www.leicestermercury.co.uk/displayNode.jsp?nodeId=132407&command=displayContent&sourceNode=132390&contentPK=14106754&moduleName=InternalSearch&formname=sidebarsearch) Lets get some Forum Power going!

bump

[Kennelre]

I've already done mine.
Is P.C Griffin only actually acting on information received..is he not actually going in search of anything? Perhaps it's time to make a formal complaint.
It would be most helpful, I think, if absolutely everybody put something in writing on the suggested site. If enough people make enough fuss then something usually gets done because questions begin to be asked and they want you out of their face......

[Coedhirion]

As I said before..by the time the police get round to doing any thing, any evidence will be long gone, sadly even an old lady getting burgled dosnt get a better response, in some areas it takes a week before they turn up!!
All we can do is keep posting on the newspaper link and hope something happens and the police get the message that other falconers are disgusted at the delays and lack of any thing happening.

[GriffMJ]

Hi All

Just had a call from the Leicester Mercury.... they are doing a follow up story and will continue to follow this until an out come (due to the amount of people putting their comments into the article :) Well done to all ...and thank you very much for your support!!!!! We WILL get this guy.... might take a bit of time.... but we WILL!

http://www.m-jhoods.co.uk/images/Sabs.JPG
"Evil will flourish if good men/women stay silent"

[Hells99]

Several peoplel have suggested a collection to raise money for a reward... are we going to do this? If so where and how do we send the money?

[Talon]

glad to hear that griff.seems like there starting to take things more seriously
now.
thats forum power for you.

[GriffMJ]

Several peoplel have suggested a collection to raise money for a reward... are we going to do this? If so where and how do we send the money?

Hi Hells99

What I would like to happen is that "Sparrow" could set up a PayPal Donation button for the reward fund..... so the Forum will hold the money collected. Its the Forum that should offer the reward and in the event of the money leading to a conviction then it should be the Forum that takes the "collective" credit. I will PM Sparrow and see what he can do.....

[UKJay74]

Hi Hells99

What I would like to happen is that "Sparrow" could set up a PayPal Donation button for the reward fund..... so the Forum will hold the money collected. Its the Forum that should offer the reward and in the event of the money leading to a conviction then it should be the Forum that takes the "collective" credit. I will PM Sparrow and see what he can do.....
griff sounds like a plan mate and maybe this would give joe average the incentive and also pull members to the forum through the credit..

P.s have added my comment :lol:
fingers crossed the pressure makes wheels turn

[Kennelre]

..........' the simple step of a simple, courageous man is not to take part in the lie, not to support deceit'....
(Alexander Solzhenitsyn.)

The truth will emerge if everyone continues to demand it.

[Graham Stuart]

It goes to show you that we can all stick together when we need to, i aint well off but i would donate £20 to the fund when its set up..Graham

[GriffMJ]

Hi All

Anyone know this *****???


looking for 3 hours, then the transmitter stopped? Maybe he should learn how to use the telemetry before flying his bird, he may have found it a lot sooner. "Only another person who has skill with birds could have done this" If this person had so much skill, why did they have to kill the bird to get the transmitter? Jerud Gamersay, London

[WeeDodger]

1900 members times 2 quid = 3600 pounds.
Tell me thats one incentive for someone to drop this ********s name.

Sparrow , cant you send a begging paypal letter to ALL members on the forum, ffs its only a couple o quid each.


Falconers of the world, unite and take over.

[WeeDodger]

got in immediately before damage done - i know- its 3800 quid.
Im just outa bed -
Steve

[AndyYounger]

count me in!

[Hobby]

Griff,Just added my comments,Feel annoyed with myself for not doing it before now.I would help financially towards a reward.This 'Jerud 'character is clearly talking nonsense and has no insight into Falconry, although infuriating ,best ignored and not let him side track the main issue.
All the best
KH

[ButeHawk]

Hi Griff, sorry it took so long for me to add my comments but it is done now. I think the idea of a reward for information resulting in a prosecution is a great idea. A word of warning though! If the reward is too big there will be too many idiots sending in information that is not correct in the hope of getting the money. This is an observation from personal experience. The police then get fed up sifting through all the rubbish and it becomes counterproductive.
That beside I hope you nail the B*****d. RIP Sabs

[GriffMJ]

Hi All.....
Leicester Mercury
SORROW AT SABS'S KILLING
BY DAN MARTIN

10:30 - 11 March 2006
The owner of a falcon which was lured from the sky, beheaded and dumped by a railway has been inundated with messages of sympathy from across the world.

Griff Morgan-Jones's falcon, Sabs, was killed after he went missing while being exercised near Mountsorrel.

The six-month-old bird's body was discovered at nearby Cossington the following day.

His head had been ripped off and his leg was broken.

Since the Leicester Mercury ran a story last month about the police investigation into Sabs's death, more than 30 readers have e-mailed us expressing sympathy for Mr Morgan-Jones's loss and revulsion at the attack.

The messages have come from across Britain and as far away as America.

Now, falconers and well-wishers have contributed £500 as a reward to anyone who contacts the police with information which leads to a conviction.

Mr Morgan-Jones today said he had personally received e-mails from falconers and animal lovers in Holland, Belgium and New Zealand.

The 37-year-old, from Mountsorrel, said: "I have had so much support from the tight-knit falconry community and beyond and there is absolute revulsion about what happened to Sabs.

"People realise this is not like having your telly nicked - someone has killed a highly trained and intelligent animal.

"It is a terrible thing."

Police say they are still investigating the killing but have not yet arrested anybody.

Mr Morgan-Jones added: "What everybody wants to see is the people responsible caught and punished.

"While the culprit is still out there, people are worried it could happen to one of their birds."

It is believed that the Lanner Saker falcon was taken by thieves who wanted the £150 tracker device which was attached to its tail while it was being flown near the Wyvale Garden Centre, in Mountsorrel, at 2.15pm on Wednesday, February 8.

A police spokesman said today: "We are still continuing our investigation and we would like to hear from anyone who may have information about how the bird suffered its injuries."

Anyone who can help is urged to contact Quorn police on 0116 222 2222.

Alternatively, call Crime stoppers, which is free and anonymous, on 0800 555111.

[FlameHairedFalconer]

Hi Griff - just added my comments. Please count me in on the fund when it is set up.

FHF

[Jackson]

Hi All

Anyone know this *****???


looking for 3 hours, then the transmitter stopped? Maybe he should learn how to use the telemetry before flying his bird, he may have found it a lot sooner. "Only another person who has skill with birds could have done this" If this person had so much skill, why did they have to kill the bird to get the transmitter? Jerud Gamersay, London


oooohhhh b*llsh*t!!! what a complete ass!!!
ignore him he obviouslty has ni idea what hes on about and should be shot for opening his mouth!!!!
hows the reward thing coming along??? im up for it!!

[Kevin Massey]

Hi All

Anyone know this *****???


looking for 3 hours, then the transmitter stopped? Maybe he should learn how to use the telemetry before flying his bird, he may have found it a lot sooner. "Only another person who has skill with birds could have done this" If this person had so much skill, why did they have to kill the bird to get the transmitter? Jerud Gamersay, London


griff i have entered the name into 192.com and turned up no one of that name registered in london...not to say that it is bogus...but it dont even throw back details are ex-directory

kev

[K8i]

sorry i don't really know you but i've left a message on that website anyway because i think its sickening that someone could do that to such a beautiful bird.

all the best

katie

[GriffMJ]

sorry i don't really know you but i've left a message on that website anyway because i think its sickening that someone could do that to such a beautiful bird.

all the best

katie

Thank you Katie :)

[K8i]

hey its no problem :-)

[HawkMan69UK]

looking for 3 hours, then the transmitter stopped? Maybe he should learn how to use the telemetry before flying his bird, he may have found it a lot sooner. "Only another person who has skill with birds could have done this" If this person had so much skill, why did they have to kill the bird to get the transmitter? Jerud Gamersay, Londonnot sure if you read this one griff what a *****

[HawkMan69UK]

:oops: ahhhhhhh see you have

[GriffMJ]

Hi All

The "Loughborough Echo" have phoned up out of the blue and want to persue this story as well now.... they have phoned up the local Police station to see what the latest is....


Hi Griff - here is my e-mail.
I have spoken to the inspector at Quorn police and she says she will leave
a message for her officer on the case to contact you.
If you could sent a pic as a jpeg that would be great.
All the best with this one, Kirsty Nicolson, Loughborough Echo


They will be doing a follow up story in the paper shortly...

[UKJay74]

Nice one griff lets hope this gets settled and sorted once and for all

[Graham Stuart]

Lets hope this helps nail the Bas*ard:yawinkle:

[GriffMJ]

Hi All

"Sparrow" has confirmed that he will be setting up a PayPal Donatiion button so that Forum Members ..... as requested by Forum members ..... can donate towards a Reward Fund .... that is intended to be given to the person who gives information to the Police that leads to a conviction :D The IFF will be quoted as the provider of the reward in any publication that will be printing the story.

[WeeDodger]

great news about the follow up and the reward - keep up the detective work, fingers crossed this scumbag gets whats coming to him.

[Bengal Owl]

good news you got a follow up from the papers what about seeing if the tv will do a follow up as well.

we could always send some email in to them see if they will do a follow on my help to get the police moving a bit more then they are doing with the investigation

all the best
mat

[Coedhirion]

The reward may get some one talking!! I sure hope so, it would be awful if this bloke gets away with it after all your hard work Griff!!
trouble is I don't have Paypal may be I can chat up a friend to let me use his, else it will have to be 'cheques made payable to.....' :cry:

[Kennelre]

Would it be helpful for everyone to also post a comment on the Mercury site re.the March 11th follow up story......it might be useful to prove that we are all continuing to closely follow events rather than a single emotive response.
I think the pressure should be kept up in every possible way until an arrest is made...

[GriffMJ]

Would it be helpful for everyone to also post a comment on the Mercury site re.the March 11th follow up story......it might be useful to prove that we are all continuing to closely follow events rather than a single emotive response.
I think the pressure should be kept up in every possible way until an arrest is made...

Good Idea!

[Coedhirion]

I did, twice because I saw that post from the idiot about the 3hrs!! and killing the bird just to take telemetry off!!!
Made my blood boil.

[GriffMJ]

I did, twice because I saw that post from the idiot about the 3hrs!! and killing the bird just to take telemetry off!!!
Made my blood boil.

You always get someone who thinks they know best....when people dont know the full facts.... they tend to jump to conclusions..... its obviously a made up name as well.... could ask the Mercury IT dept to get the IP address of the guy that wrote it and pass it on to the Police.

[Coedhirion]

You always get someone who thinks they know best....when people dont know the full facts.... they tend to jump to conclusions..... its obviously a made up name as well.... could ask the Mercury IT dept to get the IP address of the guy that wrote it and pass it on to the Police.
Sadly have to say that in one way he is correct, I recon it was the transmitter you tracked. it may be putting 2 + 2 and making 6, but could the criminal have called the bird down and rather than trying to hide a live bird, killed it, hid it and then later removed the transmitter and ditched the body? or should we not be saying that kind of thing on here.

[GriffMJ]

Sadly have to say that in one way he is correct, I recon it was the transmitter you tracked. it may be putting 2 + 2 and making 6, but could the criminal have called the bird down and rather than trying to hide a live bird, killed it, hid it and then later removed the transmitter and ditched the body? or should we not be saying that kind of thing on here.

No....none of that is right! Dont speculate.... please.

The facts are these..... Sabs post mortem proved that his broken leg occurred at least 1 hour before death. I had Sabs pinned down at the corner of the building site for 2 hours....he moved at 5.10 pm. I had to fetch the kids at 3:15...but I kept on tracking the signal and was back on the scene at 4:20....the signal was in the same place.... the problem was that i could not pin point accuratly because of the building....the last thing in my mind was that he was in a car inside the building...I thought he was in the copse at the end of the buildings ....but I could not see him...... I can pinpoint a transmitter with the Luxander to within 100 yards. His transmitter was turned off at 5:30 PM....to do that they would have had to take it off Sabs ....unwrap the electrical tape from the cap.....and then unscrew the cap on the XLF 6v. The reason why they could not take the transmitter off Sabs when he was alive was that they had no hood and also the tailmount was a special Resin tailmount designed specifically to hold the transmitter in place so it did not come out unless taken out by hand. The technique to take take the transmitter out would require the falcon to be feeding on the fist or hooded.

Here is Sabs body (http://www.m-jhoods.co.uk/Bridge/SabsPM/) just before PM

http://www.m-jhoods.co.uk/images/TV/tv3.JPG

[Kennelre]

I did, twice because I saw that post from the idiot about the 3hrs!! and killing the bird just to take telemetry off!!!
Made my blood boil.

Hi, you're referring to your two postings in response to the Mercury's first story...I'm suggesting that we also post responses to their follow up story on March 11th... I think they should know that they were right to do a follow up story and that everyone appreciates the attention they are giving this matter and that we all continue to follow it closely. This means that they will continue to pursue the story in the event of the police giving the brush off.

[Zam]

Griff

I have put my 2p worth on the Leicester Mercury. I don't know you - or your beautiful bird.

But I do know the panic and desperation I felt when I lost my bird. I got her back, safe and well, after 5 horrendous days - so I cannot begin to imagine the grief and despair you must feel over the loss of your bird.

I truly hope these "people" get the justice they so richly deserve. With or without the "help" of the Police.

Best wishes

[GriffMJ]

Hi All

At Last!!! The police are coming around to see me on Friday to walk through and talk through what happened that day. I have also been informed that all the contractors that were working there on the 8th of February are not working there now ....suprise ...suprise. If th Police had taken action earlier then all of the employees would have been there for them to question at the time! Will update as soon as....

[Jackson]

commented on the follow up too!! (although my spelling/grammar was appaling)!!!

good news bout the police Griff!! at leats its a step forward!!

good luck!!

[Graham Stuart]

Also put comment in mate, lets hope they are going to do something now:evil: All the best...graham

[Mikey100]

Don't know whether it's just me- but all of the comments on the March 1st story seem to have dissapeared?

[Jackson]

nope still there

[Graham Stuart]

i could only see page 1 no more wopuld open, mabay they not got a lot of web space:!:

[Kennelre]

My God, look at the pictures and see what they did to that bird.....then carry on posting on the follow up story site.
Maybe the first postings are no longer there because they've now moved on to consider comments in response to their second storyline, March 11th.

[Bengal Owl]

griff good the police have got of the rear to come round a last they should be able to get the contact address from all that have left only if they do there job propley,
all we have to do now is keep the press on there backs for you

all the best
mat

[GriffMJ]

Hi All

Loughborough Echo
16th March 2006

http://www.m-jhoods.co.uk/images/TV/tv5.JPG

[ChakChek]

there are some proper disgustiing ****ers in this world

all the best griff, hope they get caught

[GriffMJ]

Hi All

From Dan Martin of the Leicester Mercury today :--


Hi Griff,

I guess we can claim a moral victory now the police are eventually coming to see you. Hopefully it will result in some positive action and I'd be interested to hear how it goes.

The level of responses to our website has been staggering. I can't be 100 per cent certain but I think that might be the most we have had fore one particular story.

The general revulsion at Sabs' fate is clear to see.

I'll try to stay on top of this but please contact me if there are any developments or if you feel I could help in anyway.

Dan


Keep it up folks! Many thanks to all.... :D

[Graham Stuart]

only 5 follow ups come on folks get typing...:yawinkle:

[Hells99]

Griff, when we going to see a paypal button to allow us to donate towards the reward?

[GriffMJ]

Griff, when we going to see a paypal button to allow us to donate towards the reward?

When "Sparrow" gets it done..... he has PM'd me confirming that it will be done.... so any time shortly I would imagine :)

[WeeDodger]

Done my bit also....cmon folks........keep it going.
Dont give the police any excuse for giving up now, **** -they are only starting to get their finger oot.

[Jackson]

Hi All

From Dan Martin of the Leicester Mercury today :--



Keep it up folks! Many thanks to all.... :D

just shows theres power in number!! this is seems very pleasing and looks promising for the future!!

keep commenting guys even if it means repeating what you said the the first time the more the better!!!

[Shannor]

Posted my part on the follow up. I sure hope that the police now speed up their investigation. The harder they work on it, the more likely a conviction can be made.

Best wishes to you, Griff :heart:

[BrianM]

We Are The Peee000peeell,,,, Get In There Griff,,,, Its Great To See What We Can Do When We All Stick Together

[WeeDodger]

Donald Findlay -one presumes?
That clip o him on the prog? with him and "chick young" -no pun intended by the way.-when he was banned from the karaoke, or singing "hey eheh baby"

What was it called Brian? and do the English viewers see it?

[GriffMJ]

Hi All

Loughborough Echo
16th March 2006

http://www.m-jhoods.co.uk/images/TV/tv5.JPG

[Finnish]

Nice one Griff i hope it works mate..

[Kennelre]

Good old Loughborough Echo....any way the Countryman's Weekly could pick the story up(unless they have and I've missed it). Falconry contributions are on the increase in that paper and it would get the matter national. The Mercury's comment about the number of responses is seriously helpful and it would be even more helpful if we could exceed the number of contributions made for their first article. If it's kept in the public eye it will be sorted. There are so many members on this site and every comment on the Mercury website really counts........

[Hawkmaster]

Go Griff!

I presume you are also getting more than just members logging on their site, so even the forum's lurkers are helping by just sapping their bandwidth, this will make them know it is worth carring on the story.

[GriffMJ]

Good old Loughborough Echo....any way the Countryman's Weekly could pick the story up(unless they have and I've missed it). Falconry contributions are on the increase in that paper and it would get the matter national. The Mercury's comment about the number of responses is seriously helpful and it would be even more helpful if we could exceed the number of contributions made for their first article. If it's kept in the public eye it will be sorted. There are so many members on this site and every comment on the Mercury website really counts........

You know.... I was only thinking of that yesterday.... I looked at the website...was about to e-mail...but thought...leave it until the morning... I will be phoning them tommorrow :)

[Kennelre]

You know.... I was only thinking of that yesterday.... I looked at the website...was about to e-mail...but thought...leave it until the morning... I will be phoning them tommorrow :)

Are any of the contributors on Falconry matters for Countrymans also members of this forum...there must be a connection that could helpful. We might as well practice being united because the day will come when we need to show our ability to stand together.....

[StormRider]

Ive emailed my moneys worth Griff. I really do hope you get some sort of quick closure to all this so u can move on mate.
STU

[GriffMJ]

Ive emailed my moneys worth Griff. I really do hope you get some sort of quick closure to all this so u can move on mate.
STU

Just trying to do right by Sabs STU..... I have "Hamish" a Peregrine (currently being sat on) arriving in early June.... so I will put the time I have before his arrival into Sabs's investigation.... win or lose.... at least I have tried my best.

[ChakChek]

win or lose.... at least I have tried my best.
to bloody right you have Griff! and its bloody well admirable of you aswell i must say

just wish we could all help somemore some how and for it to get sorted asap for you

[Renton]

to bloody right you have Griff! and its bloody well admirable of you aswell i must say

just wish we could all help somemore some how and for it to get sorted asap for you

Too right! All the best mate.

[Coedhirion]

It looks like loads of people are trying to do something some how to find the culprit...except the police. Shame we can't all email them with our views!!!
Good luck Griff.

[StormRider]

Just out of interest Griff - How long is it from the date of incident to the Police deciding they were gonna get involved?
How many times have u had to contact the Police in order to push things along?
STU

[GriffMJ]

Just out of interest Griff - How long is it from the date of incident to the Police deciding they were gonna get involved?
How many times have u had to contact the Police in order to push things along?
STU

I have pushed for updates every week since they were informed..... its was exactly a month before PC Griffin asked any questions on the building site and by that time all the builders had gone (suprise suprise) its taken two news paper reporters asking questions to get the Police motivated it seems! The excuses I have had each time is that the PC was due in Court or having Days off or simply relying on the press release to get people to "phone in"! I thought "investigation" was the bread an butter of Police work? This case is not exactly a mystery by any stroke..... a few "hard questions" to the right people and I am sure something will be let slip.... the facts are so obvious! PC Griffin says that "...unless we have a witness then we cant do much" ??????? I am just mystified by that way of thinking.... what happened to investigating by the facts....not by having it handed to you on a plate???

[Coedhirion]

I have pushed for updates every week since they were informed..... its was exactly a month before PC Griffin asked any questions on the building site and by that time all the builders had gone (suprise suprise) its taken two news paper reporters asking questions to get the Police motivated it seems! The excuses I have had each time is that the PC was due in Court or having Days off or simply relying on the press release to get people to "phone in"! I thought "investigation" was the bread an butter of Police work? This case is not exactly a mystery by any stroke..... a few "hard questions" to the right people and I am sure something will be let slip.... the facts are so obvious! PC Griffin says that "...unless we have a witness then we cant do much" ??????? I am just mystified by that way of thinking.... what happened to investigating by the facts....not by having it handed to you on a plate???

What happened to 'forensic evidence' they are always going on about all the clever ways they can connect a criminal to the crime, just they never seem to use it...may be they have to have a degree in 'police science' to even look for a finger print nowadays. So one cop, one month to do nothing...wow, no wonder criminals get away with crimes.

[StormRider]

To be honest mate, I think you've given the Police enough chance now. Please accept this from an ex cop who knows how these things should at least be done. If I were you I would go and see a solicitor to lodge a formal complaint with Police Complaints and Discipline with regards to neglect of duty. A police officer going to court and having days off does not negate him from pursuing his real role. His supervisors are also directlty responsible for failure to monitor his performance/cases. To be honest, for something so serious they should have at least asked other officers to fill in just to cover.
Dont worry about the investigation because of lodging a complaint, either. Infact it might even produce some results. The problem you have is that regardless of a reward, the real evidence has to come through the police using correct methods.
It is unacceptable for this cop or his colleagues to use his job as an excuse for not doing his job.
STU

[ChakChek]

To be honest mate, I think you've given the Police enough chance now. Please accept this from an ex cop who knows how these things should at least be done. If I were you I would go and see a solicitor to lodge a formal complaint with Police Complaints and Discipline with regards to neglect of duty. A police officer going to court and having days off does not negate him from pursuing his real role. His supervisors are also directlty responsible for failure to monitor his performance/cases. To be honest, for something so serious they should have at least asked other officers to fill in just to cover.
Dont worry about the investigation because of lodging a complaint, either. Infact it might even produce some results. The problem you have is that regardless of a reward, the real evidence has to come through the police.
It is unacceptable for this cop or his colleagues to use his job as an excuse for not doing his job.
STU

very good words there...not that id know, but seeing as your an ex copper then i trust you do.

if it means it MAY get results then its well worth a shot

[Jackson]

i just comented agian under my yahoo adress!!! every little helps!!
ill get evryone i know on the web to look, read and comment to!!!

[GriffMJ]

Hi All

http://www.countrymansweekly.com/images/logo.gif

Will be running the story of Sabs investigation in the issue on the 30th :D

[Graham Stuart]

Let us know what the police have to say for themselves later today mate:yawinkle:

[Jackson]

fab news mate!! word is finaly getting around!!! and fast!!! lets hope there will be some more response to!!

maybe these questions will help although im sure youve considered them a million times:

has anyone been offered a transmitter like yours? (maybe this could be published in the news paper with full description?

or
have the police could track down the suspect and look at the transmitters he has?? if thats possible if its not (you do have quite good proff to be honest) then the leagal system has officialy gone nuts!!

[Jackson]

got a friend to post to!! shes a huge animal lover ans was totally shocked and disgusted and sends her sympathy

[Coedhirion]

Griff....they lost your post saying you finally got hold of that policeman.

[StormRider]

Well lads and lasses. I spoke to Griff on the phone last night for a few hours and got the low down. It looks like the cops may be getting their arses into action atlast.
It is not hard to realise that Griff has taken this incident very hard and it is a comfort to him that so many people (even outside of the Falconry genre) have passed on support. Having heard Griffs account lastnight Im surprised he has managed to keep his cool as well as he has.
I think that this incident warrants a bit coverage in a National paper. The person responsible may be from outside the area and a national report might get a bit more info . What do you reckon Griff?
STU

[GriffMJ]

Countrymans Weekly
(This Thursdays issue page 3)

Reward offered by IFF to catch killers of six-month-old falcon

THE International Falconry Forum is offering a reward of £500 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the killer of a falcon that was recently decapitated and dumped near a railway line
‘Sabs,’ a six-month-old Lanner Saker Falcon, went missing at around 2.15pm on February 8 while being exercised by owner Griff Morgan-Jones near the Wyevale Garden Centre in Mountsorrel, near Loughborough in Leicestershire. Two train spotters discovered the beheaded falcon the following day near a railway bridge in Cossington.
A post mortem has confirmed that none of the falcon’s injuries, which included a broken leg, were consistent with the bird either being hit by a train or attacked by an animal.
It is therefore believed that ‘Sabs’ was lured from the sky in an attempt to take his £150 XLF-3 LL Electronics transmitter, which was attached to his resin tail mount, after he was tethered by “one” flying jess, his leg broken and then decapitated.
Owner Griff Morgan-Jones said: “He stooped towards the ground just after being cast off. I thought he was mobbing a crow, but that was the last time I saw him.
“I tried to find him using the transmitter. At 5.30pm, the transmitter stopped and I thought he had got into a building which was blocking the signal.”
He added: “Only another person who has skill with birds could have done this. Only a falconer could have got him down from the sky to capture him. I believe his leg was broken as he tried to escape his initial capture.”
Anyone with any information about this incident should contact PC Griffin on 0116 222 2222, or Crime stoppers, which is free and anonymous, on 0800 555111 quoting crime reference number NQ/00436/06-0.

[Hawkmaster]

Good job Griff, you should have got them to read the whole sad affair on your website.

[GriffMJ]

Good job Griff, you should have got them to read the whole sad affair on your website.

Hi Paul

Well ....they have asked me to write an article for the next issue :) so the April 6th edition will have it all :!:

[Hawkmaster]

Good as I think only the complete story on your site tells the heart retching tale and will make people understand better and may just provoke a conscious decide to help you find whoever?

You may also want to make a new page with a counter and let the magazine article link to it and that way you will know what your audience size from the article is?

[BFC 007]

PC Griffin phoned me few days ago Griff.

[Hawkmaster]

Just another thought have you looked for CCTV camera in the area?

[GriffMJ]

Just another thought have you looked for CCTV camera in the area?

none :(

[Hawkmaster]

Damn! That is hard to believe in todays society? Not even a company security one you can ask if it was running?:cry:

[Hells99]

Anything yet on getting a donation button set up so we can donate to raise money for more of a reward?

[BFC 007]

Anything yet on getting a donation button set up so we can donate to raise money for more of a reward?


just raise the reward to £1000 then worry about giving Griff the money once the **** has been caught :lol:

[Tim Laycock]

Spot on!

[GriffMJ]

Death of a Falcon
By Griff Morgan-Jones

It defies belief what happened that day on the 8th of February 2006 and will remain lodged in dark parts of my memory for the rest of my life. A despicable act and the life of a promising falcon taken for the sake of a few pounds.

“Sabs”, my Lanner/Saker Hybrid Male, was flown on a daily basis within the confines of two fields close to my home in Mountsorrel, Leicestershire. The two fields were next to a building site development that had just started at the same time his basic training had started. I had got permission to fly Sabs from the artificial bank that had been created for the building site. This 100ft bank came in useful in Sabs’s early training as it gave me a clear view of the Soar valley.

Basic Training
Sabs was an average falcon; he was a bit slow to pick things up but once established he was clockwork. He knew his boundaries and only once throughout all his time did he “disappear” and that was for twenty 20 minutes in a strong wind. I was always confident in him and his loyalty and waited patiently for his return….. he duly did … appearing up wind in a stoop. He was a strong a capable falcon he never once landed and was always “looking in. I would always give him at least 20-30 minutes in flying time. His pitch was excellent by the end of the season and I could cast him off and he would get straight into work mode getting up to 600ft with ease and patiently wait on for what ever reward he was going to be served with. I could go for a good walk and he would stick with me at pitch such was his character. All of Sabs’s training had been documented and followed by members of the IFF (International Falconers Forum) on the internet that can be found at http://www.falconryforum.co.uk/ (http://www.falconryforum.co.uk/) . It is customary for forum members to share training information with each other and also to follow progress and help each other if issues arise from training …. As there is a wealth of collective knowledge contained within the forum from all over the world.

Security
Sabs was always flown with a tail mounted transmitter and XLF-3 from LL Electronics in the USA. This transmitter is a powerful one and has a good battery life with a range of 30 miles. The transmitter was also fitted with a barrel clip with yellow “heat shrink” plastic over the whole casing to keep the barrel clip securely in place. I had written my name and phone numbers on it as well. It was mounted in a “Resin” tail mount that was very secure…. The transmitter could only be taken out by human hand and only if the falcon was hooded or feeding on the glove. The receiver I used was an LL Electronics MN10, a very reliable and accurate telemetry system. Sabs had also been micro chipped and had been registered with the IBR (Independent Bird Register).


8th of Feb 2006
Today was the first day in 20 days that the sun had shone….. Sabs had come down to his flying weight (1lb 3 7/8oz) after taking an English Partridge 3 days previously. It was now the end of the season more or less and I had decided to put Sabs down for the moult at the end of the week. At 2:15 I got on to the flying fields, there were two landscapers planting tree’s around the artificial bank surrounding the building site that day. I followed my usual routine and cast Sabs off in the usual place and as soon as I did so the Landscapers turned their van radio up to full volume… flooding the field with sound. I thought this was a bit odd as they had not done this before on previous days. Sabs set off in his usual route over to the building site as he would use the thermal from the roof of the building to quickly gain lift to get to pitch. I had turned to walk to a different position and as I turned round saw Sabs do a shallow stoop into the building site, he was now out of view due to the artificial bank. Thinking nothing of it, I assumed that he had got down to investigate a crow. However from that point onwards I never saw Sabs break the skyline again…. After 30 minutes of not seeing Sabs I decided to get the telemetry out … thinking that he had either killed what ever he had stooped at or had “unusually” gone off out of site. My time was now limited as I had to collect my children from their school at 3:15. I decided to get the telemetry and get in the car and track him from there using the Omni Directional Arial that I had for my receiver. I did so I continually tracked his signal as I picked up the children from school. As soon as I got back home 4:00 I was straight back out to the flying fields and up on the artificial bank on the building site trying to get a fix on his location. I could not see him flying in the valley and was getting a strong signal from the end of the building site. There was also a copse at that end of the site and I thought he had killed in that area and was either resting up after feeding up. After an hour of trying to pinpoint the signal within that small area it suddenly started to move ….as if he was up and flying but I could not see him….. the signal was strong but I could not see him. I decided to get in the car and triangulate from a different position. I drove a mile down the road to look back at my previous location and found that I was following a signal going towards the village of Cossington in the valley…. But still no sign of Sabs in the air? So I then thought of getting to another triangulating position to see if I could get another fix… it was getting dark now 5:20 and I thought Sabs would be finding a roost site. I got into the car and drove through the village of Cossington… the Signal on the receiver was now very strong and all of a sudden just stopped (5:30)? I got to my next location and it was now dark. After at least two hours of searching for a signal I decided that Sabs had got into a barn or out house for the night and that’s why I had no signal …. It would have to be a case of getting up before first light the next day and wait at the last known signal position and wait. I let the IFF members know that Sabs was out for the night and all the local members to me made the effort to get their telemetry out and try and get a signal …. But still nothing.

9th of Feb 2006
At 6:00 in the morning I was in Cossington waiting for that familiar pulse on the receiver… but nothing. I spent the next few hours swinging the lure with the receiver on thinking that every Kestrel in sight was Sabs …..but no. All the local IFF members had been out that morning with their 216mhz receivers as well…. But still no signal. At 1:30 in the afternoon, after much lure swinging, I received a phone call from the IBR. The voice on the end of the phone was sympathetic and he told me that Sabs had been found but was dead. He told me that Sabs’s body had been found by the local vet, in Cossington, next to the Railway track and that he had been hit by a train. I was shocked…. but resolved to get to the Vet and pick up Sabs’s body… expecting a gruesome sight.

To be continued……..

[GriffMJ]

Death of a Falcon
By Griff Morgan-Jones

Continued from part 1 of last weeks story about the “Death of a Falcon”, Sabs, a Lanner/Saker Hybrid male falcon from Leicestershire.

9th of Feb 2006 (continued)
That evening I went to the Vets in Sileby, near Cossington in Leicestershire, to collect Sabs’s remains, expecting to find Sabs in pieces after being hit by a train….. but no ….. on the contrary… Sabs was remarkably whole. His head was missing and part of his top beak was clutched in Sabs left foot? On closer inspection he had evidently been gripped by the tail feathers, legs and by the ends of his wings due to the way that the tail feathers had been crushed. The tail mount was intact and in place and with no damage the bell. The tail mount was not damaged and the DEFRA & IBR rings were undamaged. The other odd thing was that the Transmitter was not found with him and his right flying Jesse had been cut with a sharp instrument. Sabs had not been hit by a train but obviously killed by human hand…. Decapitation! I was outraged and incensed ….why! It was becoming clearer to me that he had been killed for the Transmitter.

The transmitter that I used was a 216 Channel 1 Tune 6-7 XLF-3 LL Electronics (Luxander) 6v in conjunction with an MN10 receiver; it has a range of up to 30 miles and a battery life of up to seven days. To turn it off you have to unscrew the cap, I also wrapped electrical tape over the cap to make sure it did not unscrew and also to keep it waterproof. This transmitter also had a different tail mount clip to the normal version; the clip used was connected “around” the barrel of the transmitter as opposed to the normal Ariel attachment. The clip was then held securely by bright yellow heat shrunk plastic, I also wrote my name and contact details on this plastic in permanent pen in the event of lost & found.


The days after Sabs’s death
I decided to take Sabs’s body to a specialist Avian Vet in Meadow Lane, Loughborough to get a Post Mortem done to confirm my suspicions. I then contacted the Wild Life Liaison Officer in Leicestershire to inform him of the incident and he duly contacted the local Police to start the investigation. On the 11th of February 2006 I went up to the Railway bridge where Sabs’s body had been dumped and found a trail of falcon neck feathers leading off the bridge onto a Railway pedestrian crossing a short distance away. I took photographs of all and I also met the two train spotters who first found Sabs body. They confirmed that the transmitter was not attached to Sabs when they found him at 10:30 am on the 9th of February.

It took a long time to get any contact from the Police and exactly one month after the event was any person questioned on the building site next to the flying grounds and by that time all the “contractors” had gone. The first actions taken by the Police was to get their Press Office to bulletin the crime for the media and this led to the local News Papers and a Television piece on East Midlands Today (BBC). Trying to give as much exposure to the incident to see if it would make anyone come forward with information. The Police have collected relevant information now and are working closely with the WLO to try and get an outcome to the case.

The Post Mortem came back from the Vets and it confirmed that Sabs had not been hit by a train or been killed by an animal. His right leg had been broken at the hip at least one hour before his death (the same leg that had the cut flying Jesse) and that death was due to a single act of trauma to the head (decapitation). No food had been found in his crop and his talons were intact and still sharp. The crush patterns in the tail feathers and wing tips were consistent with a right handed grip.

My belief (and others) is that Sabs had been brought down to a “Dry Lure” on the 8th of February 2006 in the location of the building site…. He was then “quickly” tethered by one of his flying Jesse’s in such a way that his captors tied a quick knot in one and in Sabs’s efforts to escape his leg was broken by that action. He was then boxed up and kept in a vehicle until a convenient time for his captors and then moved off locally to a secluded place whereupon they could despatch Sabs and then take off the transmitter and switch it off . His body was then dumped on the railway track in a “pre determined” way to make it appear as though he had been killed by a train. After despatching Sabs they then cut off the end of the right flying Jesse so that what ever tether they had used could be kept.

The suffering that Sabs must have gone through throughout the ordeal must have been terrible and his captors must have been familiar with falconry as this was a calculated act. An act made even more despicable as they had used the trust of the falcon to lure him to his death so they could steal the transmitter.

Resolve
It is now 2 months since Sabs death and I have received support from falconers from all over the world who have learnt of this through the International Falconers Forum (IFF). They are all equally disgusted and incensed that this could have happened. The IFF has offered to pay a cash reward to information leading to a conviction that currently stands at £500. The reward value is increasing on a daily basis as Forum members donate.

One of the other good things to come out of this is that the Independent Bird Register (http://www.ibr.org.uk (http://www.ibr.org.uk/) ) are now registering Telemetry serial numbers to the Keepers, so in the event of theft and recovery the Police and the WLO can confirm ownership and also convict on this evidence if telemetry “has been registered” and reported missing or stolen to the IBR.

Another good security measure is the use of “SmartWater” on equipment and also on your Raptor. SmartWater is a revolutionary product that has helped cut crime by up to 84%! Its forensic properties are similar to DNA and can irrefutably link property to its owner and criminals to the crime scene. (http://www.smartwater.com (http://www.smartwater.com/)).

I will also never fly my falcon(s) with flying Jesse’s from now on and will use a “bullet Jesse” system out in the field that can slot into the anklets when feeding on the fist. Therefore denying the “would be” criminal another opportunity to take up the falcon easily.

The measures I have outlined above will never stop a determined thief from carrying out his crime …. But it might make him think twice and at least it would go some way to providing concrete evidence for the Police “if“ they caught him.

Lastly
The loss I feel after Sabs is immense, you care for your falcon 24/7 and the worst of it is I was so close to him before he was killed. If I can do anything for him now its is to see that the culprits can be “brought to book” and also to impress on Falconers and Austringers to improve their methods of security for the sake of your Hawks and your equipment if you are not doing so already. Theft of equipment is one thing but to kill the raptor as well takes it to a new level!

Anyone with information about Sabs's death should contact Pc Griffin at Quorn Police on 0116 222 2222 quoting Crime Reference number NQ/00436/06-0.

Alternatively, call Crime stoppers, which is free and anonymous, on 0800 555111 quoting Crime Reference number NQ/00436/06-0

There is a reward of £500 (and rising) for anyone providing information leading to a conviction.

[Hawkmaster]

Superb mate! Love the smart water idea too.

It may unfortunately take time but we may get them!

[Kennelre]

I've read both Countrymans and your proposed article. I think that Countrymans gave todays article a good position and thats it's highly visible. Congratulations on your own article, I shall look forward to seeing it in print. Whatever the outcome, you have already truly done right by your bird...no falconer could have shown their charge greater respect nor been so determined to prove that the brevity of their life and the manner of their death cannot be swept aside.

[GriffMJ]

Superb mate! Love the smart water idea too.

It may unfortunately take time but we may get them!

The "smart water" idea came from Saker-Sucker (Clive).

[Hells99]

Oh, Christ, Griff. I'm sitting here with the tears streaming down my face - reading it in a whole chunk like that is just heartbreaking. Beautifully written mate and so sad. Bless him (and you). Helen

[GriffMJ]

I've read both Countrymans and your proposed article. I think that Countrymans gave todays article a good position and thats it's highly visible. Congratulations on your own article, I shall look forward to seeing it in print. Whatever the outcome, you have already truly done right by your bird...no falconer could have shown their charge greater respect nor been so determined to prove that the brevity of their life and the manner of their death cannot be swept aside.

Thank you :)

[GriffMJ]

Oh, Christ, Griff. I'm sitting here with the tears streaming down my face - reading it in a whole chunk like that is just heartbreaking. Beautifully written mate and so sad. Bless him (and you). Helen

Bless YOU Helen...didnt mean to make you cry.... I just hope it gets somone who knows something to ring the police.

[Jackson]

truly hear breaking griff!! i sure hope that who ever commited the crime will read this or hear of this and have the some decentsy left to come forward!1 your article show your love and devotion to sabs! even now hes gone youre still stnading by him which i truly do admire!! sorry again for your loss and hope that some thing or someone comes forward!!

[WeeDodger]

Let me use the word

******* , whoever done this , i hope you die a horrible death, i really do.

Griff, hope im not being stupid, but fingerprints on the jess , would there be any.

Please let this ******* be caught.

[Musket]

Hi Griff , whilst I did write to the news paper, and not say very much after that, I do think that if you do find out for sure 100% who done this, you can be sure of a Northern support beyond your imagination, to help you get this sorted out, one way or another, wishing you all the best in the future.
Ken
P.S. please pm/email me if you need any help in the future,
Ken

[GriffMJ]

THE COUNTRYMAN'S WEEKLY
30th March 2006
http://www.m-jhoods.co.uk/images/TV/tv7s.JPG

[Big JoeJoe]

Very good read hope somthing comes off it Griff.

Cheers Joe

[Hacker]

i saw it today as well griff, keep the pressure on m8.

[Dave G]

yep griff glad you got it highlighted as i needed it read it too mate hope it ends where it should justice done

[GriffMJ]

Hi All

There is no update at the moment :( Heard nothing from the police... I will e-mail PC Griffin tomorrow to see if he has visited the suspect with the WLO.

The next two issues of the Countryman's Weekly will contain my article "Death of a Falcon".

I will update this thread as soon as I get more information.

[Kevin Massey]

only thing i would worry about griff....is how many associates of these scally B***rds read the c/m weekly?... whoever it was must have told someone... but would they read this?

is it also in the local papers?...and how about radio aswell? did the bbc ever follow up and also did the bbc mention the reward?

kev

[Kennelre]

Just read the article you wrote in Countrymans, today...it reads well, if it's possible to say that about such an awful thing. Again I thought that it had been placed well by the paper and that they have taken the matter seriously. Sadly..the scum who did it appear to have gone to earth...it's tempting to bring in the terriermen!

[GriffMJ]

Just read the article you wrote in Countrymans, today...it reads well, if it's possible to say that about such an awful thing. Again I thought that it had been placed well by the paper and that they have taken the matter seriously. Sadly..the scum who did it appear to have gone to earth...it's tempting to bring in the terriermen!

Hi.... not seen it yet.... they are sending me a copy of both issues. What page is it on? Is it a whole page with pics?

[Kennelre]

Sorry for the delayed reply..stopped off to watch Hairy Bikers Cookbook and am en route to the Apprentice (it's my sad teli evening!!!)...
Your article appears in the index and is printed on page 16....It's a full page article apart from one advertisement in the bottom left corner. The title of the article Death of a Falcon is in very bold print and integrates a picture of yourself with Sabs, hooded. ( entitled..the author with Sabs) There are two other pictures of Sabs within the copy. The article itself has the additional header...Falconry..Part one by Griff Morgan-Jones and the copy ends with....To be continued..........
Sadly, my minimal computer skills mean I can't send you a scanned picture, sorry...must go on some damn course or other:lol:

[GriffMJ]

Just got my copy of "The Countryman's Weekly" :) They have done a great job :!: Next weeks part two will have full impact and a pic of Sabs's body just before post mortem.... with a bit of luck that "might" losen a tongue and give us some information.....

[GriffMJ]

Hi All

The transmitter that was stolen was a 216 XLF-3 6v Luxander (LL Electronics) on Channel 1 tune 6-7 with a "barrell" clip tail mount (not the normal antenna attached tail mount). The whole barrel had yellow "shrink" plastic on it to keep the clip in place.

Here is a pic with the normal tailmount attachment...

http://www.radiotracking.com/images/xlf3_6v.jpg

If any one is offered this type of transmitter for sale on channel 1 tune 6-7 ...I would be interested :)

[GriffMJ]

Many, many thanks to all that are donating to the Sabs reward fund.

"RD"... thanks very much ...much appreciated.

I just hope that we can give this money to a recipient :!:

There is no update on the investigation as yet..... the "Countryman's Weekly" very kindly ran the story in two separate editions as forum members may or may not know..... fingers crossed that something comes of it.

[Hobby]

Griff,can you remind us how we can donate to the reward fund,thanks and good luck.

[GriffMJ]

Griff,can you remind us how we can donate to the reward fund,thanks and good luck.

Hi Hobby

Simply click on the "PayPal Donate" button on the homepage and you will find the Sabs Donation button in the next page :D

[BHawk]

tell ya what when you get hold of the twisted b*****d's leave them to us and we'll leave their bloody jaw in their hand! to steal is one thing but bloody hell, they must know a falconer on here somehow or maybe a members friend we need to try and weasel it out of them! i hope this is the only crime like this for a hell of a long time and ideally for ever. sorry it happened mate, keep it up though!

[Ben C]

Many, many thanks to all that are donating to the Sabs reward fund.

"RD"... thanks very much ...much appreciated.

I just hope that we can give this money to a recipient :!:

There is no update on the investigation as yet..... the "Countryman's Weekly" very kindly ran the story in two separate editions as forum members may or may not know..... fingers crossed that something comes of it.


A very good article it was as well Griff........:yawinkle: :supz:

[Nathan]

Hello Griff

Just spent the last 45 minutes reading the thread. I hope this w@^£&r gets the kicking he deserves! It makes you sick to think that there are people out there who can do this sort of thing. Good luck and I hope that you get the right result.

[GriffMJ]

Hi All

Well... thats it... I am afraid. The Police have just phoned and after interviewing the suspect "TODAY"... they have no more evidence to go on. The bloke (Builder) lives in Derbyshire.... he keeps Harris Hawks and some other birds of prey... all his paperwork appears to be in order ...although the WLO could not disturb the birds as they were "Breeding" apparently. He has a "Polish" surname.

The landscaping people that were involved with this are from Northampton.

I dont know what else I can do now.... I can only hope that something is said to someone and it comes back to me... for the case to be re-opened. The Police definatley think it was someone on the building site.... but they are powerless to do anything unless there is a witness that comes forward.

[Hacker]

Shame to hear it Griff!

[Joey]

Hi All

Well... thats it... I am afraid. The Police have just phoned and after interviewing the suspect "TODAY"... they have no more evidence to go on. The bloke (Builder) lives in Derbyshire.... he keeps Harris Hawks and some other birds of prey... all his paperwork appears to be in order ...although the WLO could not disturb the birds as they were "Breeding" apparently. He has a "Polish" surname.

The landscaping people that were involved with this are from Northampton.

I dont know what else I can do now.... I can only hope that something is said to someone and it comes back to me... for the case to be re-opened. The Police definatley think it was someone on the building site.... but they are powerless to do anything unless there is a witness that comes forward.get him back mate



joey

[WelsHawker]

Gutted for you mate...
Gav

[Joey]

give me his address ill get him back for you mate

heel just bee a few birds short


joey

[Hells99]

I'm so sorry Griff. Just hope someone is a bit incautious in their conversation within the hearing of someone from here. Hope someone copes the b**tards nuts.
Best Regards, Helen :goodman:

[Jackson]

so sorry for you mate! you put your heat and soul into this! i hope something is said so you can reopen it!

[Graham Stuart]

give me his address ill get him back for you mate

heel just bee a few birds short


joey

Sorry to hear this mate, thats the police for you bloody useless:twisted:

Joey it aint the birds fault they got a toss*r as an owner.

I would go round and remove his balls and feed them to his HH's though.

[Joey]

it just a joke id rather kick **** out off the fella people like that need to be shot


joey

[DeathFromAbove]

Just tried to post a comment on the website you suggested griff but it's dissappeared and i can't view anyone else's comments. Dunno What's happened there?

It read something like (altho can't remember exactly what I just tryed to post there);

"As a falconer, I have to say having just been brought upto speed on these events that I'm appauled at the manner in which the police have handled this case, taking one full month to actually visit the scene of the crime and longer still to visit the victim Mr M.Jones to walk through events.?! Despite many calls from Mr Jones asking for more action. The term 'Investigating' implies that there is someone out there looking, asking questions and interviewing the people involved, not sitting behind a desk eating doughnuts and drinking coffee just waiting for evidence to fall on their desk so they can act. Maybee they should invest in a boxed set of the TV series 'Poirot' to get some tips. My thought's are with Mr.M.Jones and hope that a positive conclusion is presented to him Speedily."

[DeathFromAbove]

Right, Just read the bit that the investigation is over so was a bit pointless of me there with my comment to the paper. Anything else I can do just let me know.

[GriffMJ]

Whole again ... RIP Sabs
http://www.m-jhoods.co.uk/images/McDonald/ST/Hamish2.JPG

[StormRider]

Onwards and upwards. Sorry to read about the end of the investigation mate.
STU

[Berkut]

Whole again ... RIP Sabs
http://www.m-jhoods.co.uk/images/McDonald/ST/Hamish2.JPG
Good to see you got home ok.When I left I thought you were about to get bundled into the boot of a car !!!!!!

[Paddy1]

short story but sweet revenge
a few years ago now used to work for a security company down south and during the hunting season used to look after the kennel while th owners wher out hunting anyway sat in office next thing my gs was going ape as he legged it out the door i followed just to see him bite a chunk of skin out of a sabs arse (he was after the begles that had been brought back early ) mate i tell ya i coudn stop laughing fr about half an hour he wouldnt b sitting down for a while like i say sweet rvenge :supz:

[GriffMJ]

Good to see you got home ok.When I left I thought you were about to get bundled into the boot of a car !!!!!!

:lol: :lol: ...... "Reverse Rendition" you mean ...loooool. Thanks for today .... much appreciated.

[Harris/Redtail]

i've just read this thread and have to say i am totally appalled that someone could as every one is. im sorry that you never got the person/ people responsible hopefully something will come up.. sorry mate