Two men fined for trespassing 'with the intent of pursuing game'

Appearing at Worthing Magistrates’ Court today, Edwin and George Gregory, 25 and 24, from Bagshot and Billingshurst respectively, each pleaded guilty to an amended charge of trespassing on the Angmering Park Estate, after they each pleaded not guilty in May to a charge of entering a dog in a hare coursing event.

The men were each charged £300 and ordered to pay £85 costs and a £30 victim surcharge, totalling £415.

The judge heard how the men were witnessed walking with two lurcher dogs in three fields. Police were called after the first incident and the men were arrested at their car. Police found a hare’s tail in George Gregory’s pocket, and a fresh hare carcass missing a tail was found in the first field. The wound contained saliva believed to be linked to one of the lurcher dogs.

The court heard that the two men, who work as self-employed landscape gardeners, both have previous convictions for day poaching.

Edwin Gregory appeared in court wearing a blue hoodie, with George Gregory wearing a striped grey shirt.

District Judge Christopher James, presiding, took the fact that both men pleaded guilty to the new charge at the first opportunity into account.

However, Mr James said it was clear to him that the two men went to the Angmering Park Estate “with the intent of pursuing game.

“It is evident you were effective in doing so”, he added, citing the hare’s tail found in George Gregory’s pocket.

“Both of your previous convictions aggravate the case considerably”, Mr James said, before ordering the two men to each pay fines and costs totalling £415.