Four men and a youth who were caught hare coursing in west Suffolk have each been fined £100.

Abraham Baker, 22, of Dartford, Kent, Tony Baker, 21, of Hailsham, east Sussex, Tommylee Beaney, 18, of Sittingbourne, Kent, Obie Harper, 21, of Ashford, Kent, and a 16-year-old from Kent, all admitted trespassing in pursuit of game contrary to section 30 of the Game Act 1831.

The guilty pleas were entered when they made their first appearances before Bury St Edmunds magistrates.

The incident occurred on July 31 at West Farm, Bury Road, Barnham.

One witness driving a JCB along a farm track towards the A134 saw a silver vehicle parked facing his direction.

He also saw four males and at least one dog in a stubble field.

Two of the men returned to the car and drove off and on to the A134 towards Thetford.

The witness phone police.

Another witness, who was driving a combine harvester, saw men going towards the car and a greyhound-type dog.

The dog wandered off and returned a short time later with a hare in its mouth, the witness told police.

Three males got out of the car. One got the dog and put it in the boot of the estate car before driving off towards the A134.

Police saw the car leaving the farm track and head towards Thetford before signalling for it to stop.

All the defendants were in the silver Peugeot along with four Lurcher-type dogs.

Harper, who was driving, is said to have told a police officer: “I will be honest with you mate. I was rabbiting.”

In addition to their fines the four adults must each pay £255 in costs and court charges.

The 16-year-old boy must pay £100 in costs and court charges.