Four Men Fined for Hare Poaching in Dorset
Four men caught red-handed poaching hares in Dorset have been slapped with hefty fines after pleading guilty at Poole Magistrates’ Court.
Poachers Caught in the Act
On the morning of 30 July 2021, Dorset Police swooped on John Frederick Burton (28) from Basildon, Tommy Edward Catanach (24) from Romford, William Holmes (22) from Milton, Cambridgeshire, and Levie Lee (19) from Stondon Massey. The quartet were reported trespassing on farmland near Cashmoor, chasing hares in off-road vehicles and shooting at them from moving cars.
Police found the men and seized an air rifle and a vehicle before arresting all four. They were charged under Section 30 of the Game Act 1831 following a detailed investigation by Dorset Police’s Rural Crime Team.
Fines Total Over £3,000
- Burton and Catanach each fined £900, plus £90 victim surcharge and £77.50 court costs
- Holmes fined £780, plus £79 surcharge and £77.50 costs
- Lee fined £675, plus £68 surcharge and £77.50 costs
All four had initially pleaded not guilty but switched to guilty on the morning their trial was set to begin on 19 April 2022.
Police Warn Rural Communities
“We recognise the impact this kind of illegal activity can have on our rural communities, with the potential for significant damage to crops and other issues caused by vehicles driving over their land,” said PC Sebastian Haggett of the Rural Crime Team.
“We urge anyone witnessing suspicious activity to report it immediately via our website, email, or by ringing 101. If a crime is underway, always call 999.”
For more, Dorset residents can report poaching at www.dorset.police.uk/do-it-online, email [email protected], or call 101.
