‘Be aware of opportunistic poachers’ – Man sentenced for trespassing on private land

Shane Cooper, 34, from Verwood, appeared at Poole Magistrates’ Court, where he pleaded guilty to one breach of a CBO, which specifically intended to reduce the likelihood of him offending further in rural areas.  

Previously, he was told not to cross private land without prior written permission from the owner or legal representative of the land and not to enter any farm premises, yards, barns, outbuildings, gardens, driveway or attached land. 

Cooper pleaded guilty to one breach following an incident that happened on Tuesday, 19th September 2023, where he was seen trespassing with dogs on private land in the Pimperne area.  

A witness managed to provide the registration number of a vehicle involved, and following local enquiries, Cooper was arrested and positively identified in an ID parade. He was subsequently charged with breaching his CBO. 

‘Be aware of opportunistic poachers’

The man was ordered to pay a £270 fine, £400 in court costs, and a £108 victim surcharge. 
 
Police constable Sebastian Haggett of the Dorset Police Rural Crime Team said: “We will continue to target those who we suspect of causing harm to Dorset wildlife within our rural communities and bring them before the courts to be held responsible for their actions. 
 
“Criminal behaviour orders (CBO) are sought by the team to prevent and reduce offending and hold those who breach the conditions of the order to account. 
 
“With the 2025 harvest now in full swing, we would ask the public to be aware of opportunistic poachers, who target wildlife on cut fields, and the likelihood of this activity increasing over the coming months.” 
 
Witnesses of suspected illegal poaching should call 999. You can also report rural crime by calling 101 or online. 

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