Restaurant owner charged after ‘shooting deer’ in London park

The owner of a restaurant that specialises in game has been charged with firearms offences after allegedly shooting dead a deer in a public park.

William Alldis is accused of killing the animal with a Sako .243 rifle in Dagnam Park, near Romford, on 6 November, Barkingside Magistrates’ Court heard today. The 44-year-old runs The Cart Shed restaurant at his family’s farm near Epping, and refers to himself as the “Shotgun Chef”.

According to The Sun, Alldis is believed to have been reported to police by a dog walker who witnessed the alleged shooting at the 65-acre east London park - described on the Borough of Havering website as a haven for “bird watching, nature walks, picnics and informal sport”.

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The newspaper adds that Alldis “often posts photos of his kills - including a stag in the Scottish Highlands - on his website and runs partridge shoots from his farm”, as well as raising his own quail, geese, turkey and other fowl.

He has been formally charged with possessing a firearm and suitable ammunition in a public place, contrary to section 19 and schedule six of the Firearms Act 1968, The Independent reports

Alldis did not enter a plea and was granted bail. Magistrate Janet Herbert told him: “The matter is too serious for this court.”

The case has been sent to Snaresbrook Crown Court for a pre-trial hearing on 20 March.