GEORGE MILLER AND LEWIS SHERIDAN CAUGHT HARE COURTING NEAR MORECAMBE AND LINCOLNSHIRE VILLAGES

In a significant crackdown on illegal hare coursing activities, authorities have successfully apprehended two men, George Miller and Lewis Sheridan, who were involved in hunting wild mammals with dogs. The incident took place near the Lincolnshire villages of Twenty and West Pinchbeck on Friday, October 13, 2023, drawing attention to the ongoing issue of wildlife crime in the region.

Witnesses reported seeing the two men walking across cultivated farmland, accompanied by their two long dogs. One of the dogs was beige, while the other was black. Both animals were observed actively chasing and catching hares, a clear indication of their involvement in illegal hunting activities. The men had arrived at the scene in a silver Skoda, which they initially parked near a local farm. In an apparent attempt to conceal their vehicle, they tried to hide it behind some foliage, but their actions did not go unnoticed.

According to reports, the men returned to their car shortly after the incident. They were confronted by a local farmer who attempted to block the vehicle with farm machinery. In a desperate bid to escape, the pair drove the Skoda at high speed across grassy fields and onto the A151 road, attempting to evade law enforcement. Their efforts to flee were ultimately unsuccessful, as officers from Lincolnshire Police’s Rural Crime Action Team (RCAT) spotted the vehicle and stopped it approximately an hour later.

During the police stop, the officers seized the vehicle, along with the two dogs and various pieces of equipment used during the illegal activity. The confiscated items included three thermal cameras, a video camera, and four mobile phones. Investigations into the devices revealed substantial evidence of the men’s unlawful activities, including recordings and communications that confirmed their involvement in hare coursing.

Interviews with Miller and Sheridan revealed that both men falsely claimed to have permission from the landowner to carry out pest control. However, the evidence collected contradicted their assertions, leading to their charges. On May 1, 2024, both men pleaded guilty to hunting a wild mammal with a dog, a violation of Schedule 1 of the Hunting Act 2004. As part of their sentencing, they relinquished ownership of their dogs, which have since been rehomed.

In addition to criminal charges, the court imposed strict penalties. Both Miller and Sheridan received 10-year Criminal Behaviour Orders that prohibit them from entering private land in Lincolnshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Northamptonshire, or Nottinghamshire during the hare coursing season, which runs from July 31 to April 30 each year. They are also barred from being in the company of any dogs of the sighthound, ground, long dog, lurcher, or crossbreed type during this period. Furthermore, they were ordered to pay a combined fine of £4,575.50, which must be settled in full by May 30, 2024.

Additional background information reveals that George Miller, originally from Lancaster’s Slyne Road with connections to Heysham, owns Lancashire and Cumbria Roofing Ltd. He previously faced a three-year ban on breeding and selling dogs after being convicted of illegally trading puppies in March 2021, following an investigation by Animal Protection Services. Lewis Sheridan, also a roofer, is married to a woman who operates a dog grooming business called Your Faithful Friend Limited, based on Bury Road in Bolton. These details highlight the individuals’ backgrounds and their ongoing involvement in activities related to animals and property.