American stole rare bird skins from museum

Edwin Rist, 22, pleaded guilty to burglary and money-laundering offences when he appeared at Hemel Hempstead Magistrates Court, police confirmed.

Hertfordshire Police said officers were called to the museum in Akeman Street, Tring, Hertfordshire, which belongs to the better-known London museum, after a break-in on June 24 last year.

It was later found 299 brightly-coloured bird skins were missing, believed stolen, from a collections area, a spokeswoman said.

She said the missing birds formed part of the nation's natural history collection, assembled over the past 350 years.

"The stolen birds are a number of brightly-coloured tropical birds, including cotingas, quetzals and birds of paradise, some of which are endangered species, irreplaceable and, therefore, of especial scientific concern.

"The stolen specimens are therefore priceless.

"Police have recovered the majority of the bird skins, although some are still outstanding."

Rist was granted bail until he is sentenced at St Albans Crown Court on January 14.