Sheriff voices worries over accused’s attitude towards offences

A hare courser who said his illegal hunting was “for the pot” has been warned by a sheriff he could lose his car, dog and freedom when he is sentenced.

James Mcphee admitted two charges of hunting hares on farmland near Forfar last year.

A sheriff expressed concern about the 51-year-old’s attitude to the crimes as expressed to social workers in a report prepared for the court, leaving the car dealer in no doubt that prison is at the top of the list of sentencing options.

Mcphee, of Bloomfield Crescent, Arbroath, previously pled guilty to charges of hunting a brown hare with a dog at farms near Forfar on April 28 and May 12.

Hare coursing was outlawed by legislation in 2002 but the court was told, as a member of the Travelling fraternity, Mcphee carried out the activity as a means of getting food and was not involved in gambling.

Farmers witnessed the evening incidents in their fields and Mcphee was seen to drive off in a Subaru Forester.

Continuing the case until later this month, Sheriff Gregor Murray told the accused a prison sentence is a distinct possibility.

“You have a lengthy record for things like this,” he told Mcphee.

“I have extensive powers in this matter. They include taking your car away and taking your dog away.”

Sheriff Murray said he wanted proof of the ownership of the vehicle involved in the case and information on the whereabouts of the lurcher-type dog.

He warned Mcphee: “With regard to your record, there is only one thing that is right at the top of my mind and that is sending you to jail.” Newly released images of Blackpool Pleasure Beach’s new £16.25 million rollercoaster Icon reveal the ride rising to heights of 65ft.

The behind-the-scenes pictures, taken while the park doors are closed for winter, show where riders will be propelled out of a tunnel, soaring through the Big One structure at speeds of up to 50mph.

Hundreds of tonnes of grey steel track have been hoisted into position.

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There is only one thing that is right at the top of my mind and that is sending you to jail

Picture: PA.