Raphael Stone and Dominic Parker were spotted illegally hunting in fields around Park Farm and St Matthew's Church in Morley, with two dogs off leads on April 9. Police attended and Parker was found sitting inside a car parked nearby while Stone attempted to run away but was stopped shortly after. Advertisement Advertisement Sign up to our daily newsletter Did you know with an ad-lite subscription to Derbyshire Times, you get 70% fewer ads while viewing the news that matters to you.
Both were arrested and subsequently charged with hunting a wild mammal with dogs and trespass with intent to search for or to pursue hares with dogs. Parker was also charged with possession of a knife after two lock knives were found in the car, which was registered to Parker. Stone, 27, of Hartcliffe Close, Derby , and Parker, 24, of Michigan Close, Derby, admitted the charges when they appeared at Southern Derbyshire Magistrates’ Court on 4 July.
Stone was given a community order and ordered to complete 40 hours of unpaid work. He must also pay £500 costs and a victim surcharge of £114. Parker was given a 17-week suspended prison sentence and ordered to carry out 80 hours unpaid work.
He must also pay costs of £585 and a victim surcharge of £154. An order was also made for the forfeiture and destruction of the knives. Advertisement Advertisement Sergeant Chris Wilkinson, from the Rural Crime Team, said: “Illegal hunting and wildlife crime can have a really serious effect on farmers and l.