FOUR men from Worcester have been fined more than £2,000 after they were snared while hare coursing.

The group, all from the Lower Smite Caravan Park site at Hindlip, each admitted two charges of entering land in pursuit of game.

David Butler, aged 52, David Butler junior, 27, John Butler, 19, and Harry Butler, 25, all from the caravan park off the Pershore Road, were each fined £510.

Both David Butlers were ordered to hand over their cars.

A fifth man, Harry Smith, 33, of Cherry Brook Close, Hereford, was also fined £510.

Volunteers

The five faced the charges with 10 others following incidents at Southstoke, Wallingford, Oxon, and nearby Chain Hill, Wantage, on Sunday, September 16, and Sunday, November 4.

More than 40 volunteers worked with Thames Valley police in South Oxfordshire as part of Operation Migrate, aimed at bringing the pastime to an end.

The 15, who come from the West Midlands, Worcestershire, South Wales, Hereford, Hampshire, and Surrey were all fined between £155 and £510 by magistrates at Didcot, after all admitted entering on to land in pursuit of game.