CONVICTED (2024) | Thomas Tyers, born 12 July 1990, of Pennine Way, Chilton, Ferryhill DL17 0QE, Peter Roddam, born January 1976, of 50 Salvin Street, Croxdale, Durham DH6 5HZ, and Anthony Paul Basford, born July 1984, of Corneville Road, Stoke-on-Trent ST2 9EW – for hunting a wild animal with dogs.
The trio, who all belong the travelling fraternity, received lengthy criminal behaviour orders following proactive work by Lincolnshire Police’s Rural Crime Action Team.
They were arrested after farm workers spotted them and their dogs in Sea Lane, Wainfleet St Mary, on 30 November 2023 and contacted police.
The three were swiftly arrested and later charged.
Each was guilty of hunting a wild mammal with dogs.
At Boston Magistrates’ Court on 26 June 2023, all three were handed 15-year Criminal Behaviour Orders.
These orders prevent them from entering Lincolnshire between 31 July and 30 April – recognised as hare coursing season – on any private land with sighthounds, greyhounds, long dogs, or lurcher-type dogs. They are also prevented from accompanying anyone who has these breeds of dog.
Any breach of the order could mean a custodial sentence of up to five years.
Roddam was ordered to pay a total of £533 in fines, surcharge and costs.
Tyers and Basford were each ordered to pay kennel fees of £3,685.50 plus fines, surcharge and costs of £1,391.
All of the dogs seized in the incident will now be re-homed.