3rd April 2025
A convicted hare courser has been sentenced after breaching the terms of his Criminal Behaviour Order.
Craig Rooks pleaded guilty to breaching his Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) at Lincoln Magistrates Court recently.
His guilty plea follows an incident where officers stopped him driving his Toyota Rav 4 in breach of the CBO which prevents him travelling in Lincolnshire with or in the company of people with dogs, during the hare coursing season.
Rooks was given the CBO after he was found guilty of hare coursing in 2023; his CBO lasts for 10 years until October 2034.
Rooks pleaded guilty at Lincoln Magistrates Court on 26 March 25 to breaching his criminal behaviour order. He was handed an 18-week prison sentence which was suspended for 12 months. He must pay a surcharge of £154 and CPS costs of £85.
PC Karen Irving, Rural Crime Action Team, Lincolnshire Police, said: “Following his sentence, Rooks failed to show any respect for the law, courts, or our rural Lincolnshire communities by breaching his criminal behaviour order.
“Rooks was found to be in Lincolnshire with four dogs present in his vehicle, as well as breaching the order Rooks was also dealt with for a speeding offence, he was travelling at 40mph in a 30mph limit.
“If you come to our county to hare course or poach any other animal we’ll be watching and waiting for you.”
Pity they didn’t confiscate his vehicle and dogs etc
Ian Scott – Sett Protection Officer
Only one thing to say “ALL THESE EVIL BASTARDS WANT LOCKING UP” AND TAGGED ON RELEASE
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