Five men plead guilty to North Frodingham hare coursing offences

The men were caught trespassing on land in North Frodingham

Five men have been fined almost £3,500 after pleading guilty to hare coursing in East Yorkshire.

The men all admitted offences of trespassing on land with the intent to search or pursue hares and being equipped to search or pursue hares.

The offences relate to an incident in North Frodingham in November 2022.

Following their conviction at Beverley Magistrates Court on Monday, three of the men were banned from owning or keeping sighthounds for 12 months

The disqualification order served on Craig York, James McMeekin and Michael McMeekin is the first of its kind under new legislation, according to PC Rich Fussey from Humberside Police.

He said: "I hope this outcome sends a message to those who wish to conduct hare coursing activity that Humberside is a no-go area."

Hare coursing was made illegal under the Hunting Act in 2004.

Hare coursing was made illegal under the Hunting Act in 2004

The offenders were caught when officers were called to Grange Lane on 6 November 2022 following reports of a group of men hare coursing.

Officers found five men and a number of dogs on the land without permissions, police said.

York, 46 of Gurney Valley, Bishop Auckland, was ordered to pay £1032 in fines and costs.

James McMeekin, 23, of Buckingham Terrace, Bishop Auckland, was ordered to pay £754, while Michael McMeekin, 30, of Northside, Birtley, was ordered to pay £1,032.

Stephen Thomson, 33, of Eldon Lane, Bishop Auckland, was fined a total of £365, with Jack Burton, 32, of Central Grange, St Helens Auckland also fined £271.

PC Fussey, who led the investigation, said: "I am really pleased with the outcome at court as we have continued in our targeted activity to disrupt and combat hare coursing in our communities."