Hare-hunting poacher told to pay out £1,000

A travelling criminal has been ordered to pay £1,000 for poaching.

Melvyn Howard, 26, of McCullagh Gardens, Bishop Auckland, was part of a group seen hunting hares with lurchers on private land in Barton, near Richmond, on Christmas Eve 2009. He claimed he was on the land by mistake.

He denied taking an active part in daytime poaching, when he appeared before Northallerton magistrates but was convicted.

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Pc John Wilbur said: "Hopefully, this will send out a strong message to travelling criminals who come to Richmondshire to commit poaching and wildlife offences that their behaviour will not be tolerated."

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