Three men found with blood on their trousers caught poaching
Three men have been charged with poaching after they were found trespassing on private land in the middle of the night. Kieran Hindley, from Netherton, Carl Maguire from Birkdale, and David Bradshaw from Crosby, were charged with trespassing on private land for the purpose of catching wildlife. Police were notified after a suspicious van was spotted parked near Moonshine Gap in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, on December 5 last year.
Following a search by police, the men were found in the opposite field with four Lurcher-type dogs and a Harris Hawk. The men were also found to have equipment commonly used for poaching including numerous animal call whistles which encourage the prey out and a lamp to spot them. READ MORE : RNLI lifeguard rescue truck sinks into sand and disappears on Crosby beach
They were accused of committing offences under Section 1 of the Night Poaching Act 1828 and pleaded guilty at Northampton Magistrates’ Court where they were each ordered to pay GBP463.04 in compensation. At the hearing on Friday, June 10, magistrates also ordered the Harris Hawk, all equipment, and a van, which was seized by police not be returned to the men. PC Chloe Gillies of the Rural Crime Team, who led the investigation, said: “I hope this conviction sends out a strong message to those who are involved in wildlife crime.
The men had travelled from the North-West area that night for the sole purpose of poaching and were all wearing dark and camouflage clothing. Both they and the dogs were covered in mud and one of the men had blood on his trousers. “The Harris Hawk was slightly underweight and had pressure sores on her legs, blunt talons and mud on her tail and wing feathers.
The carry case they used in the vehicle was also too small for her. She is now safe and has a new home. I’d urge anyone who sees or knows about something like poaching taking place to let the police know by calling 999 if it’s happening at the time or reporting it via 101 or online after the event so we can take action.”
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