A Spalding antiques store owner has avoided jail due to his age after admitting selling taxidermy animals and ivory products.
Justin Grimshaw, 71, of Pinchbeck Road, pleaded guilty to illegally selling stuffed animals including a pine marten, barn owl, swordfish and kestrel as well as products made from ivory at his Pendragon Antiques shop in Red Lion Street.
Police raided the store in May 2024 after a tip off from a member of the public.
He was charged with 12 offences contrary to the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, the Control of Trade in Endangered Species Regulation 2018 and the Ivory Act 2018.
Grimshaw pleaded guilty to all offences when appearing at Boston Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday (May 21).
He was sentenced to four months in prison suspended for 12 months but Grimshaw spared an immediate custodial sentence due to his age and health issues. He was fined £500 and was ordered to pay costs and surcharge of £239.
DC Aaron Flint, the Lincolnshire Police’s wildlife crime officer, said: “The illegal and unregulated trade in endangered species in the UK has a devastating impact on wildlife populations around the world. Iconic species continue to be illegally killed every day, making it vital that those fuelling this appalling trade are held accountable.
“I hope this message underscores the gravity of these crimes and serves as a strong deterrent to anyone considering involvement in such unlawful activity. Lincolnshire police take this type of offending very seriously and anyone found committing this type of crime will be dealt with robustly.”
As well as the stuff animals police also found an ivory picture frame, an ivory sphinx/lion figure and an ivory and silver presentation trowel at Pendragon Antiques.
Officers again visited the shop and the home address of Grimshaw when they executed a search warrant in August 2024.
They were looking for an item that had been seen on body worn video footage in a glass display cabinet. The item, a tiger tooth (Panthera Tigris) was found and seized.
Further research revealed three sawfish Rostrums on sale online between June 2019 and January 2024.
Grimshaw was interviewed under caution by officers in March 2025; in his account he indicated he did not realise he could not sell the items and did not realise they were subjected to the various pieces of legislation.
