Nationwide restrictions imposed on Birchington poacher

Kent Police’s Rural Task Force have secured a two year national Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) against a man found guilty of hare coursing in Birchington.

On Saturday 18 January 2025, officers were called to Dane Road, Birchington, after members of the public reported a suspected poaching incident.

Witnesses described seeing a man walking along a rural track carrying dead hares over his shoulder, accompanied by a white and brown Lurcher dog that was not on a lead. A short time later they also reported a green vehicle travelling along the track and stopping beside a hedgerow.

Searches

Officers arrived 20 minutes after the initial call came in and located the vehicle and the driver had fresh blood staining on his clothing, which he claimed was caused from an injury to his dog. A search of the vehicle and surrounding area uncovered a monocular discarded in a nearby bush, which the man admitted belonged to him when questioned.

When a search was conducted of the surrounding area, officers also found three dead hares hidden under the hedgerow approximately 10 feet from the vehicle.

He was arrested at the scene, and in interview, he admitted being at the location and confirmed ownership of both the dog and the monocular but denied hunting hares and claimed he had remained on public footpaths.

Following a court trial, Gavin Chapman, 48, of Longmete Road, Preston, was found guilty of being equipped for searching or pursuing hares with dogs. He was sentenced on 30 January 2026 at Margate Magistrates' Court and issued with a national CBO lasting two years.

Restrictions

Under the order, Mr Chapman must not, anywhere within England or Wales own or be in control of a dog on private land without the landowner’s permission or walk a dog in public off a lead unless the dog is muzzled.

In addition to the CBO, he received an 18‑month conditional discharge and was ordered to pay a fine.

Police Sergeant Darren Walshaw said:

‘This is a positive outcome for the rural community, and I welcome the restrictions imposed by the court. His prosecution sends a clear message that this kind of behaviour will not be tolerated and those who choose to engage in hare coursing should expect legal action. ‘Hare coursing is illegal across the UK, and we will continue to pursue the toughest penalties available to us. It is not a harmless pastime; it is a deliberate and cruel act inflicted on a protected species.’