Guilty of ‘going equipped’

A poacher has narrowly avoided jail after Northumbria Police’s rural crime team caught him with an array of weapons. Thirty-year-old Mark Mann was spotted by officers in a field near the town of Blyth accompanied by two dogs. When they detained him, they found a lamp, a thermal imager and three knives.

Mann was prosecuted for Hunting Act offences and pleaded guilty to going equipped and possession of a bladed article. He was fined and sentenced to six months in prison suspended for one year.

Sergeant Ian Pattison, from the Northumbria

Police rural crime team, said: “Poaching isn’t just taking one for the pot, but is the use of dogs to indiscriminately kill wildlife, often for betting purposes, as well as on occasions damaging fields and fences with vehicles.

“It is an offence we take very seriously and those who continue to break the law in such a way do risk imprisonment. We are committed to tackling offenders and have been working closely with our rural community to encourage them to report any suspicious behaviour.”

The equipment seized from Mark Mann was destroyed by police Where would you most like to visit for a sporting staycation this year? 38% The Hebrides 18% Norfolk