Two men from Chester receive sentences for hare coursing

24th April 2026

AN UNCLE and nephew who had admitted trespassing into a field in Saighton, near Chester, and hare coursing have been sentenced.

James Callaghan, 48 and of Cliveden Road, Lache, and Connor Waring, 27 and of Surrey Road, Hoole, appeared at Chester Magistrates Court for sentence on Friday, April 24.

Both Callaghan and Waring had previously pleaded guilty to knowingly permit dog to be used for hunting a wild mammal; trespass with intent to search or to pursue hares with dogs; taking game on a Sunday; being equipped for searching for or pursuing hares with dogs and daytime trespass in pursuit of game – poaching.

CPS prosecutor, Charlie Hayward, told the court that the incident had been reported to Cheshire Police by a gamekeeper on Sunday, November 23, 2025.

A wildlife camera set up on farmland near the village triggered an email notification which alerted the gamekeeper to their presence shortly before 4pm.

Callaghan and Waring were seen crossing into the field with two Saluki dogs and also had with them a thermal imaging scope.

The gamekeeper used a drone to follow their tracks, they were also seen releasing a dog and pursuing a hare, which was later found dead.

The court heard that Callaghan had three previous similar offences on record, while Waring had one similar offence from 2023.

Howard Jones, defending, said that Waring had been undergone surgery for a brain tumour at the age of 17 which had left him disabled.

Seizures meant that he would not leave the house on a regular basis, and he was encouraged ‘by family and through medical advice’ to go walking with his uncle, who would have dogs with him.

Footage from the drone captured Waring unclipping the dog’s lead, with the defence saying he was ‘embarrassed by his behaviour’ and saw that it could be ‘construed as cruel’, indicating that he ‘had insight into his actions’.

Callaghan was described as someone who does not come before the court ‘for any other type of offences’ and that he had been ‘taught about hunting and how to deal with dogs by his grandfather’ during his teens.

Mr Jones said that this made him ‘perhaps more sympathetic to these traditions, if they can be described this way’.

While the pre-sentence report contained comments that appeared to suggest he did not accept responsibility, the defence said this was ‘not his intention’ and that he had accepted that ‘they were active in a criminal matter’ and ‘not just walking their dogs and this is a terrible accident’.

Mr Jones added that on several occasions they would simply walk the dogs and that the thermal scope was typically used to check for livestock to avoid the dogs chasing sheep.

Deputy District Judge Owen Jones told Callaghan that he had led his nephew in the incident, adding that he was ‘vulnerable’ and he should ‘take the duty of care seriously’.

He also addressed the fact that it was his fourth appearance at court on similar matters adding that he must take full responsibility for this.

He concluded by telling him that it was ‘not custody on this occasion’ but that he would be ‘knocking on the door’ if it continued.

Callaghan was given a 12-month community order and ordered to complete 130 hours of unpaid work and 15 rehabilitation action requirement days.

Callaghan will pay a surcharge of £114 and court costs of £85.

DDJ Jones said he ‘had sympathy’ where Waring’s medical history was concerned but highlighted his involvement in a similar matter two years ago.

Waring was fined £200 and will pay a surcharge of £80 and court costs of £85.

https://www.chesterstandard.co.uk/news/26051815.two-men-chester-receive-sentences-hare-coursing/