26th April 2026
SEVEN men have been charged with hare coursing across rural land near Salisbury and Andover.
One of the vehicles was subsequently stopped following a pursuit on the A303 in Hampshire, while another was found abandoned.
Seven people were arrested after the vehicles were found to contain dead hares, lurchers and equipment associated with poaching.
The following people have since been charged with being equipped for searching for or pursuing hares with dogs:
- Paddy Cash, 20, of Watling Farm Close, Stanmore
- Patrick Connors, 27, of Devonshire Green, Farnham Royal, Slough
- Tommy Frankham, 21, of Sandy Lane, Bushey, Hertfordshire
- John Nicholson, 20, of Northlands, Royston, Barnsley
- Joseph Smith, 25, of Leatherhead, Surrey
- Albert Smith, 25, of Woodstock Lane South, Chessington, Surrey
- Nathan Smith, 18, of Chalfont Road, Chalfont Saint Giles
They have been bailed to appear before Salisbury Magistrates’ Court in August.
Superintendent Conway Duncan said: “We recognise the impact crimes like hare coursing have on our rural and farming communities. We are committed to proactively policing these issues and will take robust action against those responsible.
“We rely on reports from the public to help us target our operational activity. If you see hare coursing taking place, ring 999 to report a crime in progress.”
How I wish on occasions like this we still had the stocks and the birch scum like this need severe punishment for murdering the innocent. Parasites like this are no good to society at all get rid. You will always find that bastards like this are the biggest cowards on the planet I would like to see them stand up to a animal the size of them and not with guns.
Vile people.