Monkey head salesman who owned more than 70 images of bestiality given suspended sentence
17:29 12 January 2016
George Bush
Archant
He was sentenced yesterday (Monday)
An Erith man who sold illegally imported monkey heads, among other primate body parts, has been given a suspended 14-month sentence.
63-year-old George Bush, Riverdale Road, Erith also owned images of bestiality and attempted to deal in specimens of several different endangered species.
He had pleaded guilty to offering to sell specimens of an endangered species, including:
Two leopard cat skulls
134 primate specimens
Four monkey heads
One infant crab-eating macaque.
Bush was arrested two years ago on suspicion of selling the illegally imported species on eBay, after a tip from UK Border Force led Met Police to him.
He also pleaded guilty to possessing 71 extreme pornographic images (bestiality).
DC Sarah Bailey said: “This case shows that strong controls are in place to protect endangered species and the police will take action against anyone found to be trading illegally.
“Illegal trade threatens many species’ survival. I would urge anyone who sees specimens from protected wildlife for sale to contact police. We are committed to ensuring that anyone in London who is trading illegally in endangered animal parts is stopped.”
Grant Miller, Border Force CITES lead, said: “As the variety of species involved in this case shows, the illegal movement of endangered wildlife is part of an illicit and often cruel trade that Border Force, together with our partners in the UK and internationally, is determined to stop.
“Those illegally trading in wildlife products should be in no doubt – we will target you at the UK border and beyond.”
He was sentenced on Monday January 11 at Woolwich Crown Court.
