FOUR men have been convicted of poaching offences in the Meon Valley countryside.

Vehicles were seen driving across fields and dogs chasing wild animals near Warnford in November last year.

Matthew Giles, 32, of Common Road, Lingfield, Surrey; James Smith, 22, of Stovolds Hill, Cranleigh, Surrey; Edward Watson, 39, of The Haven, Billingshurst, West Sussex; and a youth, aged 16, who cannot be named for legal reasons, all pleaded guilty at Aldershot Magistrates Court on Thursday, April 16.

Watson was also charged with causing criminal damage to the crops that had been driven over.

The dog involved was seized by police and kept in kennels during the investigation.

All four were ordered to pay compensation of more than £900 each to the crop owner and police for costs incurred kennelling the dog.

Watson was disqualified from driving for two years.

Investigating officer PC Jon Radcliffe said: “A close working relationship between Hampshire Constabulary, surrounding forces and members of the rural community resulted in a successful outcome for this investigation. Country Watch are working hard to make rural Hampshire a hostile environment for criminals.”

Police Sergeant Debby Holman, of Hampshire Police Country Watch, said the outcome is encouraging.

“We recognise the impact that poaching can have on rural communities and we hope this result will go some way to spreading the message that it will not be tolerated in Hampshire,” she said.