Five accused of hare coursing admit trespassing

4 days ago

Police seized four dogs and equipment including thermal scopes

Norfolk Constabulary Two dogs standing next to each other. One is brown and is slightly taller than the white dog. They are inside the back of a van, which is white on the inside. On the floor is an orange crate with a fluorescent jacket in it, and there are also bottles of water. — Police seized four dogs and equipment including thermal scopes

Five men arrested as part of a hare coursing investigation have pleaded guilty to trespass.

Norfolk Police said a member of the public reported suspicious activity on land just south of Spixworth, near Norwich, at about 15:20 GMT on 3 February.

Officers seized four dogs along with thermal scopes and other equipment.

Three men in their 30s, a man in his 20s and a man in his 40s pleaded guilty at Norwich Magistrates' Court to trespass while "in search or pursuit of game" and other wild birds.

Charges of hunting a wild animal with dogs were withdrawn.

The five men – three from Sprowston, near Norwich, and two from Ireland – were each fined £120 and told to pay compensation of £288.

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