Uttlesford: National first as poachers banned from owning dogs

Two men have been banned from owning or keeping dogs for three years under new legislative powers designed to target poachers.

On 21 February, Colchester magistrates handed David Hilden and Tyron Young disqualification orders under section 66 of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2022 in what is believed to be a national first, after the pair each admitted a charge of daytime trespass in pursuit of game.

Magistrates made the orders after hearing both men had travelled to the Saffron Walden area from south London with dogs which were to be used to poach game.