Three men admit illegal Cannock Chase deer hunting

Three men have been fined for illegally hunting rabbits and deer with hounds.

The men were caught on Cannock Chase during a late-night operation by the police and the RSPCA on 24 November.

James Morgan, 28, James Harvey, 24, and Kyle Rodgers, 23, all from Stoke-on-Trent, had a deer carcass in their van, Stafford magistrates heard.

They were fined £184 each after pleading guilty to charges under the hunting act.

Morgan, of Baker Crescent South; Harvey, of Crestbrook Road; and Rodgers, of New House Road; were each also ordered to pay a victim's surcharge of £36 and costs of £2,538.

The court heard that the men's van was stopped during spot checks by Staffordshire Police and the RSPCA on Cannock Chase.

Officers found three lurcher dogs and a bull terrier dog in the back of the van, along with the carcass of a deer.