Fine for reptile-smuggling Briton

Geckos were found in luggage

An award-winning British film producer has been fined more than £4,000 after being caught trying to smuggle 217 animals out of Australia.

Michael Linley, 51, from East Anglia, was arrested at Perth International Airport in October by customs officers acting on a tip-off.

They found the haul of frogs, lizards and snakes in his suitcase.

Outside court the filmmaker apologised for his "stupidity" and said he would regret it "for the rest of my life".

Judge Henry Jackson told Western Australia's District Court on Friday that he found it "hard to understand" why a man of Mr Linley's professional standing would do "such an incredibly stupid thing".

Different species

The wildlife expert had admitted trying to smuggle marbled geckos, squelching froglets and western bearded dragons along with snakes and three cockroaches.

Prosecutors said they had found 27 different species of Australian life in his luggage.

Why someone with your antecedents would do such an incredibly stupid thing...is very hard to understand Judge Henry Jackson

Having won international awards for conservation Mr Linley, who has worked for National Geographic magazine, is now a convicted wildlife trafficker.

In mitigation, he told the court he had been appalled by the thousands of dead animals he had seen on Australia's outback roads and had wanted save some of them.

Mr Linley's solicitor Geoffrey Vickeridge also said his client had hoped to film them in Britain under controlled conditions.

Mr Linley's intentions had been good though his actions had been foolish, Mr Vickeridge added.

Afterwards, Mr Linley apologised to the Australian people.

He said: "It might appear that I have got off lightly but it will be with me for the rest of my life".