FIVE illegal hare coursers caught on farmland near Winchester are due to be sentenced next month.

The gang are the first to be convicted in Hampshire under new legislation.

Sections 63 and 64 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 have seen the introduction of the new offences of trespass with intent to search for or to pursue hares with dogs, and being equipped for searching for or pursuing hares with dogs.

This is the first time Hampshire police has secured charges and convictions under this legislation since it was introduced in April 2022.

On the evening of  January 18 police received a report that a group of people had driven onto farmland in the Itchen Abbas area, damaging crops, before starting hare coursing.

Police were deployed and located the vehicles – a Mercedes and a Jeep – before the Jeep reversed and collided with a police car. Officers detained the occupants, searched the vehicle and seized three Lurcher dogs, five dead hares, bolt croppers and a lamp.

The Mercedes fled the scene and was followed to Southampton where the occupants were detained. Inside the vehicle were two more Lurchers, two dead rabbits, a slingshot and a lamp.

Five people were charged and pleaded guilty in Basingstoke Magistrates' Court on Thursday August 3. They are:

  • Leonard Pinnick, 36, of Montgomery Road, Bitterne, Southampton, admitted trespass with intent to search for or to pursue hares with dogs, and being equipped for searching for or pursuing hares with dogs.
  • Shane Jefferies, 27, of Hornbeam Close, Hedge End, pleaded guilty to trespass with intent to search for or to pursue hares with dogs, and being equipped for searching for or pursuing hares with dogs.
  • Lloyd Jefferies, 35, of Tanhouse Lane, Botley, admitted trespass with intent to search for or to pursue hares with dogs, being equipped for searching for or pursuing hares with dogs, criminal damage, and dangerous driving.
  • Martin Tony Buckland, 19, from Hound Road, Netley, pleaded guilty to trespass with intent to search for or to pursue hares with dogs, and being equipped for searching for or pursuing hares with dogs.
  • Martin Eli Buckland, 40, from Hound Road, Netley, admitted trespass with intent to search for or to pursue hares with dogs, being equipped for searching for or pursuing hares with dogs, criminal damage, and dangerous driving.
  • They were all bailed to appear at the same court for sentencing on September 25.