ALEXANDER AND JACKIE STEWART BUSTED FOR HARE COURSING IN BUCKSBURN AND METHIL
| Red Rose Database
Bucksburn, Aberdeen / Methil, Fife Animal Abuser
In a significant wildlife enforcement operation, Alexander Stewart, born around 1987 and residing at Miltonfold, Bucksburn, Aberdeen, along with Jackie Stewart, also known as John Stewart, born circa 1980 and currently living in Methil, Fife, have been convicted of illegal hare coursing activities. The Stewarts, identified as Scottish travellers with ties to the notorious Clinterty travellers site in Aberdeen, faced charges after being caught engaging in illegal hunting practices involving hares.
Details of the incident reveal that on the early morning of Sunday, November 8, 2020, a local farmer in Angus, near Forfar, observed a Subaru vehicle registered to Alexander Stewart operating in the Redwell Farm and Balindarg areas. The farmer recognized the vehicle from previous hare coursing incidents and promptly contacted the police. Witnesses reported seeing one of the men with a lurcher-type dog, a common hunting breed used in hare coursing, leaving no doubt about their intentions.
Law enforcement officers responded swiftly, detaining both Stewart and three young boys at the scene. During the investigation, authorities seized their mobile phones for forensic analysis. The contents of Alexander Stewart’s phone revealed alarming evidence, including voice notes in which he discussed purchasing a dog specifically to kill hares. Other messages indicated that he used his Subaru vehicle for poaching activities, including incidents in Aberdeen. A disturbing photograph was also recovered, showing a young boy holding a dead hare beside a lurcher.
Jackie Stewart’s phone contained a text message dated November 3, 2020, which referenced a recent hare chase that resulted in a kill two days earlier. Audio recordings captured on the device included conversations between the two men, discussing the declining hare population in the area and attributing it to their illegal activities. One particular recording features Alexander and Jackie Stewart discussing the impact of their poaching on local hare numbers, highlighting their awareness of the environmental damage caused.
Further evidence included a video showing Alexander Stewart, Jackie Stewart, and the young boys on November 8, 2020, discussing the ongoing decline of hare populations due to their illegal hunting. Both men admitted to hunting with multiple dogs at various locations across Angus and Aberdeenshire, confirming their involvement in the unlawful activity.
In sentencing, Alexander Stewart was ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid community service, reflecting the seriousness of his wildlife offences. Jackie Stewart received a fine of £1,000. Additionally, both men were handed a six-month ban on keeping dogs, aimed at preventing further illegal hunting activities. The case garnered attention from local and national news outlets, including the Daily Record and BBC News, highlighting the ongoing efforts to combat wildlife crime in Scotland.
Details of the incident reveal that on the early morning of Sunday, November 8, 2020, a local farmer in Angus, near Forfar, observed a Subaru vehicle registered to Alexander Stewart operating in the Redwell Farm and Balindarg areas. The farmer recognized the vehicle from previous hare coursing incidents and promptly contacted the police. Witnesses reported seeing one of the men with a lurcher-type dog, a common hunting breed used in hare coursing, leaving no doubt about their intentions.
Law enforcement officers responded swiftly, detaining both Stewart and three young boys at the scene. During the investigation, authorities seized their mobile phones for forensic analysis. The contents of Alexander Stewart’s phone revealed alarming evidence, including voice notes in which he discussed purchasing a dog specifically to kill hares. Other messages indicated that he used his Subaru vehicle for poaching activities, including incidents in Aberdeen. A disturbing photograph was also recovered, showing a young boy holding a dead hare beside a lurcher.
Jackie Stewart’s phone contained a text message dated November 3, 2020, which referenced a recent hare chase that resulted in a kill two days earlier. Audio recordings captured on the device included conversations between the two men, discussing the declining hare population in the area and attributing it to their illegal activities. One particular recording features Alexander and Jackie Stewart discussing the impact of their poaching on local hare numbers, highlighting their awareness of the environmental damage caused.
Further evidence included a video showing Alexander Stewart, Jackie Stewart, and the young boys on November 8, 2020, discussing the ongoing decline of hare populations due to their illegal hunting. Both men admitted to hunting with multiple dogs at various locations across Angus and Aberdeenshire, confirming their involvement in the unlawful activity.
In sentencing, Alexander Stewart was ordered to complete 100 hours of unpaid community service, reflecting the seriousness of his wildlife offences. Jackie Stewart received a fine of £1,000. Additionally, both men were handed a six-month ban on keeping dogs, aimed at preventing further illegal hunting activities. The case garnered attention from local and national news outlets, including the Daily Record and BBC News, highlighting the ongoing efforts to combat wildlife crime in Scotland.