CONVICTED (2023) | David Hilden, born 11 July 1983, of the travellers site in Lathams Way, Croydon CR0 4XP and Tyron Young, born c. 1997, of Bolton Drive, Morden SM4 6GF – for poaching offences.
David Hilden and Tyron Young, who are both members of the travelling fraternity, were stopped by police officers while walking with four dogs across crop fields near Littlebury, Saffron Walden, Essex, on October 15, 2022. Two of the dogs were lurchers on slip leads.
There were no public footpaths in the area and the landowner had not given the men permission to be on the land.
The pair had had travelled to the area from south London with dogs which were to be used to poach game.
When interviewed by officers at the scene, Hilden said he had gone on to the land to pursue rabbits, while Young claimed to be walking his dog.
In court both men admitted a charge of daytime trespass in pursuit of game. In addition to a financial penalty, the men were banned from owning or keeping dogs for three years.
The banning order was the first made under section 66 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022,. The act means people can be handed disqualification orders for certain poaching offences and pursuing hares with dogs.
Investigating officer Pc Nigel Wright, of Essex Police’s Rural Engagement Team, said: “The poaching of wild animals is extremely cruel but it can also cause a lot of damage to crops and farmland, which is very costly for the land owner or farmer.
Sentencing |
Hilden: ordered to pay a total of £273 in fine, costs and surcharge.
Young: ordered to pay £385 in total.
Both were banned from owning or keeping dogs for three years (expires February 2026).
Bit Of Work The Scum Want.
They wouldn’t have the energy to go out Poaching or Hunting, or whatever else they have been up to before they were caught.