Fine and CPO for men convicted of hare coursing

Alexander Stewart was given a community payback order with 100 hours of unpaid work and Jackie Stewart was fined £1,000 after having pled guilty at Forfar Sheriff Court to wildlife offences carried out between 16 October and 8 November 2020.

The court granted the prosecutors motion for the forfeiture of a vehicle, three mobile phones and a set of binoculars. The men were also banned from keeping dogs for six months.

Speaking after the sentencing, Fiona Caldwell, head of the Crown’s wildlife and environmental crime unit said: “I welcome the conviction and sentence of Alexander and Jackie Stewart.

“Hare coursing is a cruel and wholly illegal act. The Crown will continue to work to ensure that anyone who hunts hares with dogs is brought to justice.

“We would encourage anyone who may have information on hare coursing to contact the police.”