Poachers in court as police step up rural crime drive

The pair were convicted at Northallerton Magistrates Court after being caught in Barton, near the North Yorkshire market town of Richmond.

Paul Michael Bullock, from Shildon, County Durham, was fined 100 plus 115 costs, while Daniel Morgan, of Darlington, was fined 100 plus 515 costs. He was also fined 200 for possessing an offensive weapon.

The prosecutions follow a major police drive, called Operation Jumbo, which was rolled out across Richmondshire and Harrogate last month.

Operation Jumbo was launched in the Selby area in December to stop criminal networks organising lucrative hare-coursing events in remote locations. It was hailed as an instant success with a dramatic fall in the number of offences.

Police seized more than 10 vehicles, made 24 arrests for wildlife and rural crime offences and searched over 100 people.

Before the crackdown was launched, up to 50 reports of poaching and hare-coursing were being made to police in the Selby area each week.

The figure has now fallen to just a handful.

Following its introduction in the Richmondshire and Harrogate areas, it will be rolled out across North Yorkshire.

Pc Wendy King, of the Richmond Safer Neighbourhood Team said: "This is another excellent result and will send a strong message to people engaging in this activity."

North Yorkshire Police says that by stepping up front-line crime-fighting and extending the crackdown across countryside communities, it will drive the poachers out for good.

If anyone has information regarding people committing similar offences they are asked to contact the force on 0845 6060247.

Alternatively, they can contact Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.