Rare butterfly killer Philip Cullen spared jail

A collector who captured and killed the UK's rarest butterfly - the Large Blue - has been spared jail.

Philip Cullen, 57, was given a six-month suspended sentence for capturing two butterflies at reserves in Somerset and in Gloucestershire in 2015.

He was convicted in March of six charges, relating to killing, capturing and possessing the endangered species.

His is believed to be the first prosecution in the UK involving offences related to the species.

http://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-39528286