Southampton men sentenced for hare coursing under new laws

It is the first time Hampshire Constabulary has secured convictions under recently introduced legislation that makes it an offence to trespass - or go equipped - with the aim of chasing hares with dogs.

Officers responded after the men drove onto farmland in the Itchen Abbas area, damaging crops in the process before embarking on hare coursing.

Crash into police car

A jeep driven by Lloyd Jefferies reversed into a police car. Officers detained the occupants and searched the vehicle, which contained three Lurcher dogs, five dead hares, and bolt croppers.

A Mercedes driven by Martin Eli Buckland, was followed by police to Southampton, where the occupants were detained. Inside were two more Lurcher dogs, two dead rabbits, and a slingshot.

Five men from the Southampton area have been sentenced for hare coursing (Image: Martini archive)

Five people charged

Five people were charged with offences committed on January 18 and pleaded guilty when they appeared at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court on August 3.

Martin Eli Buckland, 40, and Martin Tony Buckland, 19, both of Hound Road, Netley, admitted trespass with intent to search for or pursue hares with dogs, and going equipped.

READ MORE: Dogs seized by police after allegations of hare coursing

Leonard Pinnick, 36, of Montgomery Road, Southampton, Shane Jefferies, 27, of Hornbeam Close, Hedge End, and Lloyd Jefferies, 35, of Tanhouse Lane, Botley, admitted similar offences.

Martin Eli Buckland and Lloyd Jefferies also pleaded guilty to dangerous driving.

Five men from the Southampton area have been sentenced for hare coursing (Image: Martini archive)

Defendants ordered to pay out

Appearing at the same court on Monday, they were each ordered to pay £550 compensation to the landowner to cover the £1,100 of damage caused to crops.

They were both banned from driving for 12 months and disqualified from owning dogs for two years as well as being handed a 12-month community order.

They were each ordered to pay £100 kennelling costs for the seized dogs, plus £85 court costs, and a £114 victim services surcharge.

The vehicles' three passengers were also sentenced.

Martin Tony Buckland was handed a 12-month community order. Shane Jefferies was given a 12-week curfew and a 12-month community order. Pinnick was handed an 18-month community order.

READ MORE: Police target gangs involved in poaching and hare coursing

The three men were each fined £40, with £85 costs and a £114 victim services surcharge.

'Senseless persecution'

Police Staff Investigator Andrew Williams, from the Country Watch team, described hare coursing as a scourge on rural communities.

"It involves the senseless persecution of wildlife, whilst also making life miserable for innocent farmers and landowners, who suffer trespass and damage to their property," he said.