Three Merseyside men have been banned from entering parts of West Lancashire after being given one of the first Criminal Behaviour Orders in Lancashire, under the Hunting Act 2004 – section 1, hunting a wild mammal with dogs.
Thirty two year old James Reid and 30 year old Neil Walsh, both from Bootle and 26 year old Liam Doherty of Crosby appeared at Ormskirk Magistrates Court and were all given an 18 month CBO after being found entering farmland, part of the Leverhulme Estate, with four dogs with the intent of hunting brown hares, which is a protected mammal.
The order prohibits the three men from entering a large area of West Lancashire (see attached map) with a dog or being in company with anyone with a dog, until June 2017. This is a good result as it effectively covers two ‘poaching’ seasons so the residents and gamekeepers will have three less regular coursers to be concerned about and the hares as well will have a more peaceful life.
PC Ivan Leivers says: “These three men have regularly and routinely entered West Lancashire with the express intent of hunting a protected mammal – the brown hare – with their dogs. This order will ensure that if they continue to partake in this barbaric activity, they face the very real possibility of being given a custodial sentence. The other offenders who come here to carry out coursing should be warned, we will apply for these orders wherever and whenever we can.”
Sgt Craig Appleton added: “This result is the culmination of many hours of hard work put into the case by PC Leivers which has come to fruition in the form of the degree of control which are now placed on these individuals.
“Lancashire Constabulary is committed to protecting all communities from crime and this result will send out the message to any persons thinking of committing rural crime of this nature that their actions will not be tolerated. In future cases of a similar nature in West Lancashire, CBOs will be considered and if granted will be enforced.”
The area is arable farmland and part of the ‘mosses’ of West Lancashire. The estate where the men were caught is the Lord Leverhulme estate, which operates a successful pheasant and partridge shooting estate and enjoys high profile clients. This estate and the neighbouring Headbolt estate have always worked and supported the police and their help and involvements have allowed the police to get these orders.
You can report any breach to your local neighbourhood policing team at Ormskirk on Tel: 01695 566444 or e-mail ck.npt@lancashire.pnn.police.uk, safe in the knowledge that we will respect your privacy and that you are helping to protect your community.
Alternatively you can call 101 or visit www.lancashire.police.uk
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