Eastbourne men caught poaching rabbits during lockdown
Ben Catt, Tyler Earwalker, and Bobby Hopkins were caught leaving Arlington Reservoir on March 26 with nets, shovels, seven dogs and two ferrets.
According to police, one of the trio admitted they were testing the ferrets’ ability to flush rabbits.
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Hide AdThe three 20-year-olds appeared at Hastings Magistrates’ Court last month charged with daytime trespass in pursuit of game - poaching.
Police say Catt, of Park Croft in Polegate, and Hopkins, of Kensington Way in Polegate, were both fined £500 with costs of £85 and a victim surcharge of £50.
While Tyler Earwaker, of Shalfleet Close in Eastbourne, was fined £120 for the offence and a further £120 for possessing an air rifle during a period when he had been banned from doing so, said police.
He was ordered to pay £85 costs, a £32 victim surcharge, and was jailed for 12 weeks having activated a previously suspended sentence imposed for burglary with intent to steal, police said.
The air rifle was forfeited for destruction.
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