Wildlife organisations and police say 'justice has been served' on a former gamekepper who was found guilty of killing 11 birds of prey on a game shooting estate in Norfolk.

Allen Lambert, formerly a gamekeeper on the Stody Estate, near Holt, appeared at Norwich Magistrates' Court on Wednesday and was found guilty of two charges relating to the killing of 10 buzzards and a sparrowhawk, and possession of pesticides and other items capable of being use to prepare poison baits.

The 65-year-old had earlier pleaded guilty to five other charges includes three offences of illegal storage and use of pesticides and unlawful possession of nine dead buzzards.

The matter has been adjourned for sentencing at Norwich Magistrates Court on November 6.

The verdict was welcomed by the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC). Chairman Alan Jarrett said: 'BASC utterly condemns any persecution of birds of prey. Nothing can justify such actions. Every law-abiding person involved in game management and shooting will denounce anyone involved. In this case the law has run its course and justice has been served.'

DC Richard Moden, who lead the investigation, said Lambert had show a 'total disregard' for protection of wildlife and possession of banned poisons and pesticides.

Rob Cooke, Natural England's director of sustainable Dedelopment, said they were pleased they were able to take part in the investigation against Lambert, working under the Wildlife Incident Investigation Scheme (WIIS) with the police and other agencies.

He said: 'The sheer scale of the offences in this case is shocking and I am dismayed that incidents like this are still occurring. We welcome the conviction and hope it will act as a significant deterrent to others.'

A spokesman for the Stody estate, was established in 1941 as a family business, declined to comment.