Message from Lincolnshire Police
24th January 2026
On Thursday the 22nd January 2026 William Finney, 48, and Gavin Lee, 54, attended Lincoln Magistrate court where they pleaded guilty to hunting a wild mammal with a dog, under the Hunting Act 2004.
This followed a report of hare coursing where a male was seen to be running his greyhound on farm land in the Dog Dyke area on 11th December 2024, another male was seen to be carrying a shotgun.
Two dead hares were found, both claimed that they had been shot. X-rays and autopsies proved otherwise.
Both attended Lincoln Magistrate court again the following day for sentencing.
They were sentenced as follows – William Finney was fined a total of £3885 including kennelling costs. Gavin Lee was fined a total of £725.
Forfeiture of items included –
- 2x IPhones
- 1x dog
- 1x dog collar
- 2x dog leads
- 1x shotgun
- 1x thermal imager4x shotgun shells
Both Finney and Lee were given criminal behaviour orders with conditions lasting for 10 years.
Firearms and shotgun certificate holders involved in criminal activities should be mindful that the Police will always seek to revoke certificates.
What on earth makes anybody want to chase and murder a wild animal that has done no wrong???????These people are sick bastards and deserve all they get, Personally I think they should have got a prison sentence as well as all the rest. Bring back the birch and give me the job.