Poacher’s vehicle destroyed after trespassing in Humberside

A poacher has had his vehicle destroyed after being found guilty of trespassing on farmland in North Yorkshire.

Mitchel Cannon, 26, of Sleights, North Yorkshire, pleaded guilty to trespassing in search of game, an offence under the Game Act 1831.

He was detained on Sunday 5 December last year on land at Haisthorpe, East Riding of Yorkshire.

See also: What to do if you’re a victim of… hare coursing

Cannon pleaded guilty to the offence when he appeared before magistrates on Wednesday 23 March.

He was fined £300 and ordered to pay an additional £119 in surcharges and costs. 

His vehicle used during the incident was granted destruction following the incident on the order of Humberside Police’s Rural Task Force.

Clear message

Rural Task Force officer Kevin Jones said: “This has been a fantastic result, thanks to some really proactive teamwork in tackling wildlife crime.

“This result sends a very clear message to those who are thinking about coming into the East Riding of Yorkshire to commit wildlife crime.

“We will take action on every occasion and will look at utilising all the available legislation to prevent, deter and prosecute those who decide to engage in criminality around our countryside.

“Wherever we have the evidence we will prosecute offenders, and we welcome the help of our rural communities in letting us know of incidents in their area. If people see anything suspicious, they should always call 999 for suspected crimes in progress or 101 for non-emergency incidents.”

See more