Man pleads guilty to hare coursing offences near Burton Agnes
A man from County Durham has been convicted of hare coursing and Hunting Act offences following an incident near Burton Agnes.
Bernard Jardine appeared at Hull Magistrates’ Court on Monday, April 28 for sentencing following guilty pleas for offences under s.63 and s.64 Police Crime Sentencing Courts Act, and s.1 Hunting Act following the incident with dogs on private farmland at Burton Agnes in November 2024.
Jardine was sentenced to a 12 months Community Order, including six months of Electronic Tag and 10 days of Rehabilitation Activity, ordered to pay £500 compensation to Humberside Police for Kennel Costs, a further £199 costs and an order to forfeit a Thermal Scope, locator handset, and a bleeper dog collar.
Sgt Kevin Jones, from Humberside Police Rural Task Force, said: “Illegal hare coursing is a UK Wildlife Crime Priority and a Priority for the Rural Task Force.
"The criminality involved is serious, organised and sophisticated in their planning often involving cross border offending.
"Not only does it involve barbaric acts against protected wildlife species, but it causes harassment, alarm, distress and annoyance to the rural communities.
"Poachers do not care about trespassing across farmland, intimidation to farmers and landowners, and the damage they cause.
"However, they do care about the zero tolerance response that Humberside Police have towards their illegal activities.
"I hope this arrest and the seizure of all items used in the commission of hare coursing offences – including their dogs – together with the sentencing, sends out a strong message to anyone with intentions on travelling to Humberside to conduct illegal hare coursing activities.
"We will be ready to take positive action utilising all the available legislation.
"I would like to pass on my continued thanks to local farm watch community and Humberside Fire and Rescue Drone for supporting our response to this incident – together we make the East Riding of Yorkshire a hostile place for Wildlife Crime.
"If you witness any suspected hare coursing in progress please contact the police on 999 quoting Operation Galileo.”