Internet skull sellers may face jail for trading in endangered species

Graham and Norah Pitchforth used the internet to trade in animals which included a lion cub, birds of prey, monkey skulls, flying fox skulls, butterflies, snake skulls and the skin and skull of a penguin.

The couple from Southfield Close, Wrenthorpe, Wakefield, yesterday each admitted 24 charges related to the importing, exporting and selling of endangered species from their home.

The case was not opened at Leeds Crown Court and the hearing was adjourned until April 15 for the completion of pre-sentence reports. Judge Kerry Macgill warned them they had admitted "serious offences" and custody was an option.

He told them: "Although I am going to renew your bail, be under no illusion that all options, including the real possibility of a custodial sentence, will be open to me."

At a previous hearing, the court was told the couple's home was raided in December 2006 by officers from West Yorkshire Police alongside HM Revenue and Customs and the National Wildlife Crime Unit.

They were arrested and charged with trading in endangered animals, some among the most endangered in the world.

All the offences took place between October 2005 and December 2006.

Graham Pitchforth, 61, and Norah Pitchforth, 65, spoke only to admit the charges as the long list of exotic animals was read out.

The species on the charge sheet included: Sparrowhawk, little owl, tawny owl, buzzard, spotted eagle owl, pale chanting goshawk, baboon, European porcupine, crab-eating macaque monkey, pig-tailed macaque monkey, scarlet ibis, chacma baboon, python, barn owl, African penguin, Yemen chameleon, yellow-billed kite, African lion cub, otter, Malaysian flying fox and various butterflies.