A pair of men have been convicted for hare-coursing near Maidenhead - resulting in them being banned from keeping dogs for two years. 

Danny Mitchell, aged 21, of Hazelwood Lane, Binfield, and Tommy Cole, aged 20, of Lyne Road, Virginia Water, Surrey, received the ban at Reading Crown Court earlier this week. 

The dogs found during the hare-coursing case - a pair that appear to be a type of whippet  - have been re-homed.

The pair were also ordered to pay the force £600 in kennelling costs, £300 in court costs and a £26 victim surcharge.

Mitchell and Cole were found guilty of one count each of being equipped for searching for or pursuing hares with dogs at the same hearing.

It follows an investigation on November 30 last year, when officers from the Rural Crime Taskforce had been conducting mobile patrols in the Maidenhead area after several hare coursing-related incidents.

While travelling along Howe Lane, near the B3024 and Paley Street, the officers identified a white Peugeot Partner van parked in a remote layby just in front of a farm gate leading into a dark agricultural field.

Mitchell and Cole, who had two whippet-type dogs, then approached on foot between the parked van and the farm gate.

Instantly, Mitchell became defensive and began recording his interaction with police on his mobile phone.

The officers detained Mitchell and found a handheld catapult and a handful of ball bearings inside his front jacket pocket.

The officers also found a high-powered lamp connected to a battery pack and a slip lead inside the van, as well as a second lamp, and another lead under the van - all items commonly used in hare coursing.

The officers arrested Mitchell and Cole and seized the dogs, van and equipment. The pair were charged the following day. 

Investigating officer PC Lewis Tillyer, of the Rural Crime Taskforce, said the conviction was a first for the force.

The officer said: “This is a great example of how police and the Crown Prosecution Service can work together to crack down on hare coursing across the Thames Valley to create a hostile environment for rural offenders.

“Hare coursing is an illegal activity where dogs are used to chase, catch and kill hares.

“It is a serious problem in rural areas that has a major impact on the rural community, and involves cruelty to dogs and wild animals, as well as damage to land which will not be tolerated.

“I am also glad that Danny Mitchell and Tommy Cole will not be allowed to own dogs for the next two years and have to reimburse the force for looking after the dogs they had with them.”

Rural Crime Taskforce lead, Inspector Stuart Hutchings, added: “We are committed to tackling hare coursing and bringing offenders to justice.

“We understand the true impact of hare coursing on our rural communities, especially farmers who are trying to go about their daily business.

“Working in partnership with the NFU we will do all we can to eradicate this type of offending and protect our rural communities.”