October 5, 2016 3.23 pm This story is over 96 months old

Lincolnshire hare coursing offenders slapped with heavy fines

Two men have been heavily fined after being found guilty of hare coursing in Lincolnshire. On Thursday, September 29, Denny James Loveridge, 36, of Slough, Berkshire, and Philip Marsh, 44, of Ramsbottom, Bury, Lancashire, were convicted by Boston Magistrates. Marsh appeared in person and Loveridge was found guilty in his absence.   Their convictions related…

Two men have been heavily fined after being found guilty of hare coursing in Lincolnshire.

On Thursday, September 29, Denny James Loveridge, 36, of Slough, Berkshire, and Philip Marsh, 44, of Ramsbottom, Bury, Lancashire, were convicted by Boston Magistrates.

Marsh appeared in person and Loveridge was found guilty in his absence.

 

Their convictions related to an incident of hare coursing in Whaplode St Catherines on October 21, 2015.

They were found guilty of trespassing in the pursuit of game.

Loveridge received a fine of over £738 and Marsh a fine of £903.

Chief inspector Jim Tyner said: “Operation Galileo is our operation aimed at tackling hare coursing.

“The hare coursing ‘season’ runs from September to March. In the last season Lincolnshire Police arrested or reported for summons 176 men.

“The law concerning hare coursing is complex and the powers available to police depend on specific circumstances. The Hunting Act 2004 makes it an offence to hunt with dogs. To prove this offence requires evidence of a hare being chased by a dog.

“This year we are focussing on the seizure of dogs used in hare coursing because this has been shown to be a significant deterrent.

“We are working with the Crown Prosecution Service to ensure we consistently provide the best available evidence.

“The message from me is that Operation Galileo is here to stay but our success relies on joint working with our colleagues in neighbouring forces and on the rural community having confidence to be good witnesses.”