CONVICTED (2022) | Kian Shay Harratt, born 21 June 2002, of Craven Road, Hemsworth in Pontefract WF9 4SB, Codie Colin Smith, born 16 December 2003, of Frickley Bridge Lane, Brierley, Barnsley S72 9LQ, and Billy Haigh, born 17 February 2002, of Musgrave Farm, Main Street, South Hiendley, Barnsley S72 9BG – sentenced to fines for hare coursing.

Officers from Humberside Police stopped a vehicle following reports of hare coursing on farmland near the village of Wressle in East Riding of Yorkshire on 3 April 2022. Kian Harratt, Codie Smith and Billy Haigh were arrested and subsequently charged with Game Act offences.

They were all convicted at Beverley Magistrates Court on Tuesday 1 November 2022.

Harratt, a professional footballer currently on loan to Bradford City FC, was fined £830 and ordered to pay £150 in costs and a victim surcharge of £83

Haigh was fined £519 and ordered to pay £150 in costs and a victim surcharge of £52

Aspiring boxer Codie Smith was fined £173 and ordered to pay £150 in costs and a victim surcharge of £34.

Wakefield Express
Hull Daily Mail

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Update 16 November 2022

It was reported that Kian Harratt had accepted disciplinary action by Huddersfield Town FC following his conviction for poaching offences.

Harratt’s loan with Bradford City was terminated in light of the news, with Bantams manager Mark Hughes and Town head coach Mark Fotheringham both indicating that the matter would be investigated by Huddersfield Town.

The club released the following statement::

“Huddersfield Town can confirm that B Team striker Kian Harratt has been subject to the club’s disciplinary procedures following his recent court appearance and our subsequent internal investigation. Kian, who was found guilty of poaching by Beverley Magistrates Court in October 2022, has been issued with a significant fine by the Club, and will also take part in extensive educational and community work in due course.

“He has also shown genuine remorse for what he has done, and for bringing the Club’s name into disrepute. However, that in no way excuses him. Huddersfield Town has dealt with this matter with the utmost seriousness and cannot condone his actions. We are extremely disappointed to have one of our players conducting themselves in this manner away from the Club, as it sits in complete opposition with our morals.

“In our extensive discussions with him, it has been made abundantly clear to Kian that he must now seize the opportunity to rebuild his reputation and to make amends for this unacceptable situation. Kian has now returned to the Club from his loan at Bradford City and will train and play with the B Team group.”

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Additional Information

At date of conviction Kian Harratt was a striker with Bradford City FC. He had played for the League Two club since June 2022, on loan from Huddersfield. Before that, he played for Harrogate Town and Guiseley on loan.

Alternative Facebook profile for Harratt here.

Codie Colin Smith is an amateur boxer. He showcases his boxing matches on Facebook and Instagram. Smith tells us that he and the others were only prosecuted for trespassing but there is little doubt that all three men participate in hare coursing. They are all active members of a twisted Facebook group named East Midlands Hare Coursing and regularly post videos and images of their latest kills.

Smith is sponsored by the following businesses/organisations:

• Energy Services Business Power Ltd based in Wakefield
• MC&C Utilities, based in Pontefract
• Brocky’s Trust, a charity founded by the owner of The Mob Film Company with offices in Manchester and London
• Todd Martin Sports Therapy in Pontefract
• Hull Hydroponics. Facebook page here.
• Caliponics in Rotherham
• Colliers Cafe in Upton, Pontefract (not to be confused with Old Colliers Cafe in Grimethorpe): no website or social media presence but their telephone number is 01977 646813.