DANIEL LUKE DIMMOCK AND KIAN HARRATT CAUGHT POACHING IN RICHMOND AND PONTEFRACT

On Tuesday, February 6, North Yorkshire Police responded to a report concerning a suspicious vehicle operating near Whashton, a rural area close to Richmond. The officers arrived at the scene and discovered a Nissan X-Trail parked adjacent to a field, which raised immediate suspicion. Shortly thereafter, two men approached the vehicle, armed with large black lamps and accompanied by lurcher-type dogs on slip leads, indicating their possible involvement in illegal hunting activities.

Following a search, the police seized the lamps and the vehicle, and the two men were detained for questioning. The individuals identified as Daniel Luke Dimmock, aged 34 and a resident of Castleford, and Kian Harratt, aged 22 from Pontefract, were found to be in possession of equipment commonly used for poaching. They were subsequently charged with trespassing on private land during nighttime hours with the intent to poach, a serious offence under rural crime laws.

Both men faced justice at Harrogate Magistrates Court, where they were found guilty on December 19. The court handed down fines of £1,153 each to Dimmock and Harratt, along with orders to pay additional court costs and surcharges. The case underscores the ongoing efforts by law enforcement to combat illegal poaching activities that threaten the integrity of rural communities and local wildlife.

Sergeant David Lund, a representative of North Yorkshire Police’s Rural Task Force, highlighted the importance of tackling poaching, stating, “Poaching is a serious crime that brings misery to rural communities. As this case shows, if you travel to North Yorkshire intent on poaching, we’ll be here to stop you, and put you before the courts.” He urged members of the public to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity through the police website, by dialing 101, or in urgent situations, by calling 999 to ensure the safety and preservation of rural areas.