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Todmorden man receives £13,000 fine and Lincolnshire ban for hare coursing




A man found with a “dogging phone” has been banned from entering Lincolnshire and ordered to pay more than £13,000 after hare coursing investigations.

Craig Rooks, 57, of Vicarage Gardens, Todmorden, was found guilty at Lincoln Magistrates’ Court yesterday (Friday) of going equipped to pursue hares with dogs.

When police stopped Rooks and searched him under the Hunting Act, his phone revealed an active interest in hare coursing, which he called his ‘dogging phone.’

Craig Rooks. Photo: Lincs Police
Craig Rooks. Photo: Lincs Police

Rooks had been stopped by police in North Greetwell around 10.00am on Sunday, October 14 last year, while driving a Nissan X-Trail.

His vehicle and equipment indicated he was prepared for hare coursing.

The vehicle was searched under the Hunting Act.

His vehicle was searched under the Hunting Act. Photo: Lincs Police
His vehicle was searched under the Hunting Act. Photo: Lincs Police

Items in the vehicle, including two long dogs, a thermal scope, binoculars, slip leads, and rope, linked Rooks to hare coursing.

He was arrested on suspicion of going equipped for hunting or pursuing hares; his dogs, Bonny and Peggy, were seized along with his car and the other equipment.

When his phone was examined, it revealed his interest and previous involvement in hare coursing, with some incidents as recent as 11 days before his arrest.

He has also been deprived of his two dogs. Photo: Lincs Police
He has also been deprived of his two dogs. Photo: Lincs Police

Police found videos and voice recordings of Rooks and his friends discussing hare coursing, planning future trips, and boasting about his dogs’ success.

Amongst the messages sent from Rooks, one told how his dog had previously "terrorised" a hare, causing it to run into a pipe—behaviour contrary to how a hare would normally react.

During a police interview, Rooks claimed he had the dogs and other items with him for the purpose of going rabbiting or flushing out foxes.

Rooks was stopped in North Greetwell. Photo: Lincs Police
Rooks was stopped in North Greetwell. Photo: Lincs Police

An investigation found his claims unlikely, as he lacked landowner permission and could not provide consent.

DC Aaron Flint, the force’s wildlife crime officer, said: "The use of lurchers is not really a viable means of controlling rabbits.

“Rabbits rarely stray from their warren, are easily spooked, and are quick to run for safety underground.

DC Aaron Flint
DC Aaron Flint

“Likewise, flushing foxes can only be done in very limited circumstances and only to prevent serious damage to property. The landowner must have provided permission.

"Considering the claimed activities and the equipment Rooks had with him, I would say he was neither engaged in rabbiting nor flushing foxes to a gun.

"The equipment Rooks had with him—binoculars, thermal scope, two lurchers, and makeshift slip leads—is much more commonly associated with illegal hare coursing.”

Rural crimes such as hare coursing have been prevalent across farms in Lincolnshire and surrounding counties.

Historically, there has been a lack of awareness of the true costs of these offences and the threat and harm caused to rural communities.

Lincolnshire Police helped establish Operation Galileo, now a national response to hare coursing.

The operation has reduced hare coursing by using best practices and powerful deterrents like confiscating dogs, equipment, and vehicles."

Offenders can also receive criminal behaviour orders, driving bans, and compensation costs for dog kennelling during investigations and proceedings.

A 10-year criminal behaviour order prohibits Rooks from entering Lincolnshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, or Nottinghamshire from July 31 to April 30 in the company of anyone with dogs of any breed.

The order also bans him from possessing poaching instruments in the five counties until October 31, 2034.

He was ordered to pay compensation of £13,125 in respect of kennelling and vet fees, fined £100, and given a victim surcharge of £114.

A deprivation order was made, depriving him of his rights to his two long dogs, Bonny and Peggy, the thermal imager, and binoculars.

In addition, he was disqualified from driving for 12 months and handed a community order for rehabilitation activity.



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