“A man has been fined £150 after being spotted hare coursing by vigilant North Yorkshire residents.

Andrew Boswell, 30, of Borland Avenue, Carlisle, travelled to farmland at High Grange, Melsonby, on 30 September last year. While he was there, two quick-thinking witnesses saw a hare being coursed by dogs, and, crucially, noted the details of Boswell’s van before he left the area.

Using those details, officers were able to trace the vehicle, and track down Boswell. He admitted the offence – hunting a wild mammal with a dog – at Northallerton Magistrates Court last Friday (30 January). He was fined £150, and ordered to pay costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £20.

PC John Wilbor, Wildlife Crime Officer for the Richmond Rural area, said: “This is a good result, particularly considering that the offender had left the area. This prosecution sends a strong message that North Yorkshire Police will pursue criminals who travel to our area to commit rural crime.”

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Source: North Yorkshire Police