A MARKSMAN captured on camera taking pot shots at sheep is now in the firing line himself.

RSPCA prosecutors will soon be considering the fate of Adrian Walker, the Argus can reveal.

Thirty-two-year-old Mr Walker, who lives in Grosmont and runs Golden Valley Meat with his father, was criticised by animal rights supporters after he was caught on video camera using his rifle to pick off sheep in a field belonging to Abergavenny farmer Barrie Clayton.

He had rounded up the animals after they were caught wandering on a road on April 11. The sheep were culled by Mr Walker because they were roaming in a foot-and-mouth infected area.

The RSPCA immediately launched an inquiry into the incident and now say the lengthy investigation is nearing completion.

An RSPCA spokeswoman told the Argus last night: "We are still compiling the evidence at our Horsham headquarters but hopefully the investigation will be completed within the next few weeks.

"We will then pass the file to our prosecution department who will decide whether to take the matter further."

As well as contacting Mr Walker, the animal protection group has had discussions with Monmouthshire County Council, which was ordered to carry out its own inquiry by National Assembly rural affairs minister Carwyn Jones.

Several Gwent police officers attended the scene but Sergeant Andy Clemence, based at Abergavenny, stressed at the time that it was not a police matter.

He said then: "This is a ministry operation and they are the absolute authority in a situation like this. The police have no power to act."

While pledging to review its slaughter of strays in future, Monmouthshire council's own independent inquiry into the incident ruled out taking disciplinary action against Mr Walker whom they say had not acted "irresponsibly or negligently".