SHANE MANYWEATHERS AND STEFAN COOPER CAUGHT POACHING IN POOLE AND RINGWOOD

In a recent crackdown on illegal hunting activities, two individuals from Poole, Shane Manyweathers and Stefan Cooper, found themselves at the center of a serious wildlife crime investigation. Both men, identified as travellers, faced legal action after being caught engaging in hare coursing, a cruel and illegal practice that involves chasing and capturing hares using dogs.

The incident unfolded near the Lower Bisterne Farm Estate in Ringwood, where police received reports of suspicious activity. According to authorities, a local resident was out walking his dog when he noticed two men in a nearby field behaving suspiciously. The witness observed them flushing a hare from its hiding spot and then releasing a dog to pursue the animal, which is a clear indication of hare coursing.

Alarmed by what he saw, the resident reported the incident to the police. When officers arrived at the scene, they attempted to apprehend the two men, who initially tried to escape in a vehicle parked nearby. However, their attempt to flee was thwarted when estate associates intervened, blocking their vehicle's exit. The suspects then fled on foot, but police quickly responded and managed to arrest them shortly afterward.

Following their arrest, Shane Manyweathers, born on May 6, 1992, of 23 Frobisher Avenue, Poole BH12 5AW, and Stefan Cooper, born on December 10, 1991, of 75 Rockley Road, Poole BH15 4EZ, were taken into custody and subsequently charged with poaching offences, specifically trespassing in pursuit of game. Their actions were deemed serious enough to warrant a court appearance.

After a thorough legal process, both men were convicted of the charges related to hare coursing. The court imposed fines of £1,050 each on Manyweathers and Cooper, reflecting the severity of their illegal activities and the community's stance against wildlife crime. The case highlights ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat poaching and protect local wildlife in the Poole and Ringwood areas, emphasizing that such illegal pursuits will be met with strict penalties.