A peregrine on the nest flies away and the male is seen stopping and pulling out a tub of ice cream. It appears to place eggs there before descending out of sight.

The May 2020 incident led to lawsuits. It is against the law to disturb a peregrine falcon that is nesting or taking its eggs.

But the RSPB said it ended with a not-guilty verdict at Chesterfield Magistrates’ Court on May 25.

The bird protection charity said: “The judge ruled that the arrest of the suspect by the police and the search of his house were unlawful and that the evidence found by the police was ruled inadmissible.”

No eggs or chicks were recovered, he added.

The RSPB formed a secret camera on the nest in May 2020.

The text of the video footage reads: “Pilgrims have nested here before. However, the nest had failed several times. It was suspected to be a site where peregrines were illegally captured for falconry.

The RSPB called Derbyshire Police who investigated and charged a man who was later found not guilty.

Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, it is a criminal offense to kill, injure or take a peregrine falcon intentionally or recklessly. It is also an offense to take, damage or destroy the nest of a wild bird while it is in use or to take or destroy the eggs.

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