Sunday 16 July 2017
Two men have been fined a total of £1,000 after they were caught trespassing and hare coursing on farmland in Wiltshire.
Tommy Sherred, 21, of Gipsy Lane, Frome, and Joby Ayres, 29, of Berkley Lane, Frome, pleaded guilty to breaching section 30 of the Game Act 1831 at North West Wiltshire Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (13 July).
A green Ford hatchback was spotted on farmland in Bishops Cannings on 14 January and several men, believed to be hare coursing, were seen with dogs in the area, the court heard.
When they were confronted by the landowner, the men began to shout abuse before speeding off towards Horton.
Two of the men ran across the farmland towards Bishop Cannings.
After arriving at the scene, officers from Wiltshire Police’s rural crime team spotted the two men who then attempted to escape by running in the opposite direction.
Police caught up with the pair and they were arrested on suspicion of daylight trespass in search or pursuit of game.
Speaking after the sentencing, PC Marc Jackson, of Wiltshire Police, said the rural crime team had been working hard with members of Farmwatch and landowners around the Pewsey Vale area to disrupt and deter coursing and poaching activity over the past year.
“We are really pleased with the outcome of this investigation which saw a sizeable fine for the offenders in relation to daylight trespass offences under the Game Act,” he added.
“There is no doubt that damage to farmland, farm property, threats and intimidating behaviour towards farmworkers is having a negative impact on the farmers and gamekeepers quality of life within Wiltshire.”
https://www.fwi.co.uk/news/two-men-fined-1000-for-hare-coursing.htm
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Direct Action Against All Forms of bloodsports
A £500 fine for each offender, is clearly no deterrent to these nasty individuals. Hare Coursing is an extremely profitable ‘activity’, for monsters like this.
We really do need stronger sentences for wildlife offences. Shared on facebook widely.
Obviously not fined for cruelty but at least they received a fine but why oh why are the dogs not taken from them as mandatory!
Elaine