US Grammy nominee, now living in Chesterfield, had half-eaten dead falcon in freezer, court hears

A US Grammy nominee, now living in Chesterfield, has been given a suspended sentence after admitting to being illegally in possession of a protected bird of prey.

Mary 'Holly' Holladay Lamar, 51, of Ashover Road, Old Tupton, pleaded guilty at Chesterfield magistrates' court on Friday to being in possession of a wild peregrine falcon and an unregistered peregrine falcon, Derbyshire Constabulary's wildlife crime team said.

When a warrant was carried out at Lamar's home address on December 7, 2017, the peregrine falcon was wearing an identification tag of an older bird to make it look like it was bred in captivity.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The older bird was found dead and half-eaten in a freezer at Lamar's home with its leg cut off.

The young peregrine falcon is said to be 'doing well' now but will not be released back into the wild.

A solicitor for Lamar told the court that she had only been looking after it and that she intends to go back to the US soon, according to the BBC.

It is not known how Lamar, who is believed to have lived in Old Tupton for more than two years, acquired the bird.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

On Facebook, Derbyshire Constabulary Wildlife Officer said: "This is a fantastic result for this case and if she had not pleaded guilty today the judge stated that she would have been sentenced to custody.

"The sentence passed in this case shows how serious the courts are taking offences against our wildlife."

Lamar was sentenced to 18 weeks in custody, suspended for 12 months.

She was ordered to carry out 120 hours of unpaid work, costs of £1,020 and a surcharge of £115.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The American singer-songwriter is also now banned from owning or being in possession of any peregrine falcons and others birds for five years under the Wildlife and Countryside Act.

Lamar co-wrote Breathe with singer Faith Hill, which was shortlisted for a Grammy in 2000 for best country song and song of the year.

Related topics: