CONVICTED (2022) | prolific poacher Ryan Thomas Spence, born c. 1990, of St Cuthberts Walk, Liverton, Saltburn-by-the-Sea TS13 4QL – hunted wild mammals with dogs.
Ryan Thomas Spence, a cocaine user with recent convictions for drink and drug driving, became the first offender in North Yorkshire to be given a Criminal Behaviour Order for poaching offences. He was also handed a six-month driving ban and just over £1,000 of fines.
Spence attended private farmland with three dogs in Normanby, near Kirkbymoorside in Ryedale, shortly before 9am on Tuesday February 15, 2022. Witnesses saw one of the dogs chasing a hare on the land and called the police, who attended the location and arrested Spence a short time later. Officers also seized the dogs.
A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said Spence is a prolific national offender, having previously been convicted of a number of poaching offences in North Yorkshire, East Yorkshire, Norfolk and Scotland.
The Criminal Behaviour Order served to Spence prevents him from:
- Trespassing on any land with a dog, firearm, or any item capable of firing a projectile
- Straying from any highway, bridleway, or public right of way onto any land
- Driving, or be in, a motor vehicle or mechanically propelled vehicle other than on a publicly maintained road without written permission of the landowner
- Being part of a group involved in the hunting of any wild mammals with dogs or firearms or any items capable of firing a projectile
Inspector Clive Turner from the rural task force said: “Ryan Spence has caused significant harm to our rural communities over a number of years, and I’m pleased he has now faced the courts and we have been successful in having the Criminal Behaviour Order granted.
“Poaching is a serious offence, it damages local businesses, economies and communities.
“I encourage anyone who sees any suspicious activity in our rural areas to report it to the police. Even if you are not sure whether or not crime is being committed, your information might just be the missing piece of the jigsaw we need to bring offenders like Spence to justice.
“Please dial 101, press 1 and pass information to our control room. If you see a crime being committed, please dial 999.”
Update | February 2023
North Yorkshire Police reported that Ryan Spence had had his sentence increased at court.
Spence appealed the sentence imposed in September 2022. Happily his audacity was repaid as his driving ban was increased from six months to two years, and will now run from 23 February 2023. His original sentence was upheld.
The CBO remains in place, for five years from September 2022.
Inspector Clive Turner, from North Yorkshire Police’s Rural Task Force, said: “The message is crystal clear – we will respond robustly to any poachers who set foot in North Yorkshire. Poaching is a serious offence which, in addition to being a wildlife crime, causes damage to property and misery in rural communities.
“Anyone thinking of committing these offences in our area can expect hefty fines, lengthy driving bans, the forfeiture of their property and court orders to put a stop to their criminal activity. With the addition of a CBO, a realistic prospect of a prison sentence can be expected for breaching the order.
“I’d like to remind everyone about the importance of calling in any suspected poaching. If it’s a crime in progress, please dial 999 so we can take immediate action – or if you have information about who may be responsible, call us on 101 or report it online via our website.”
Additional Information
Ryan Spence is originally from Guisborough and retains family links to that area. His previous address was Dorset Road, Guisborough TS14 7EB.
As of April 2022 Spence had amassed 24 convictions for 39 offences,
In August 2017 Spence was convicted of hare coursing alongside Anthony Webster, born c. 1981, of The Pines, Holywell Row, near Mildenhall, Bury St Edmunds, Suffolk and Stuart Brunt, born 24 December1989, of 103 Copes Way, Chaddesden, Derby DE21 4NS .
For this offence Spence was fined £5,000 and banned from having custody of dogs for five years. Webster was fined £600 and Brunt was fined £1,200, disqualified from keeping dogs for a year and ordered to carry out 80 hours of unpaid work.
Bit Of Work The Scum Wants.
They wouldn’t have the energy to go out Hunting or Lamping or whatever else they have been up to before they were caught.
All they have done is Brought Shame To Their Families.
Including The 2 Small Children, Stuart Brunt Is Pictured With On Facebook.
They could be Bullied in School and out The Street because of his actions. I feel sorry for those Children with A Cruel Father such as this.