Three men convicted of poaching wildlife in Sadberge, near Darlington

Date of alert:

Friday, 19 May 2023

Crime Ref:

Force:

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Durham Constabulary

Three men have been convicted of poaching after they were caught by specialist police camera equipment illegally hunting wildlife with dogs.

Anthony Foster, Edward Foster, and Scott Revell were caught last year after a police officer noticed them releasing Saluki and lurcher breed dogs to chase hares on private farmland.

The trio pled guilty to charges when they appeared in front of Newton Aycliffe Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (May 16).

Foster, 31, of East Howle, Ferryhill, was ordered to pay a £200 fine; Foster, 30, of Japonica Way, Norton, Stockton, was fined £120, and Revell, 35, of Somerset Road, Stockton, was fined £150. All three were also ordered to pay court costs and a victim surcharge.

Rural officer, PCSO Andy Cusick, was on patrol around Bishopton Lane, in Sadberge, near Darlington, on October 2 last year when he noticed two suspicious vehicles parked on Hillhouse Lane.