A GROUP of poachers have been fined more than £500 after they were caught trespassing near Selby.

Liam Fox, 20, and Lee Hoy, 26, pleaded guilty at Northallerton Magistrates’ Court last month to trespassing on land at Stubbs Road in Little Smeaton at night with poaching equipment.

A third man, Gareth Sylvester, 33, has also now admitted the offence. All three are from Pontefract.

Wildlife officer PC Sarah Ward, of North Yorkshire Police, said: “Residents and landowners in our rural communities do not want people trespassing on their property and I hope this case shows that the police will not tolerate such behaviour.

“When we receive information about suspicious activity in rural areas we also respond, and I want anyone who is thinking about coming to Selby District to commit poaching offences to know that we are on the look out for them.

“Residents can help us to make life difficult for poachers and rural criminals by continuing to report any suspicious people or vehicles which they see in their area.”

Magistrates seized lamps which the men were found with when they were stopped by police in the early hours of October 10 last year, and ordered them to be destroyed under the Hunting Act 2004.

Fox was fined £205, Hoy was fined £110 and Sylvester was fined £200. All three men were also ordered to pay £45 costs.

To report poaching or any suspicious activity, phone North Yorkshire Police on 101, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.