CONVICTED (2024) | Craig Rooks, born c. 1967, of Vicarage Gardens, Todmorden OL14 5AN – for hare coursing. Rooks was stopped by Lincolnshire Police in North Greetwell, Lincoln, at around 10am on Sunday 14 October, 2023, while driving a Nissan X-Trail. He had two long dogs with him, named Bonny and Peggy. Officers conducted a search under the Hunting Act with a search of his “dogging” phone revealing his primitive interest in hare coursing. Items found in his vehicle included a thermal scope, binoculars, slip leads and rope. Rooks was arrested on suspicion of going equipped for hunting or pursuing hares. Bonny and Peggy were seized along with his vehicle and other equipment. Forensic examination of his phone revealed his previous involvement with hare coursing. Recent videos and voice recordings between Rooks and his friends were found in which hare coursing was openly discussed. Rooks spoke about planning future trips and bragged about how good his dogs were at killing hares. During police interview Rooks claimed he had the dogs and other items with him for the purpose of going rabbiting or for flushing foxes, but further investigation showed this to be a lie as he had no permission from the landowner to be conducting either activity. During a trial at Lincoln Magistrates’ Court, Rooks was found guilty of going equipped for searching for or pursuing hares with dogs. He appeared for sentencing on 25 October 2024. He was handed a Criminal Behaviour Order for 10 years, prohibiting from entering or remaining on or during any day from 31 July to 30 April, (the period recognised as the hare coursing season), in Lincolnshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Nottinghamshire, in the company of anyone with dogs of any breed. The order also includes possessing any instruments to be used for poaching either during the day or night-time with the five counties, until 24 October 2034. He was ordered to pay compensation of £13,125 in respect of kennelling and vet fees, fined £100 and a victim surcharge of £114. A deprivation order in relation to Bonny and Peggy, confiscation of the thermal imager and binoculars. In addition he was disqualified from driving for 12 months and handed a community order for rehabilitation activity. Lincolnshire Police Lincs Online