Three men have pleaded guilty to animal cruelty, criminal damage and motoring offences in a Dorset court.

Dorset rural crime police officers and colleagues from Hampshire Constabulary conducted a warrant at an address in Bransgore in Hampshire on Monday, October 3, 2022 as part of an investigation into allegations of cruelty to deer and hares.

A 23-year-old man from Bransgore in Hampshire appeared at Poole Magistrates’ Court on Friday (January 20) and pleaded guilty to:

• Seven counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal

• Three counts of criminal damage

• Handling stolen goods

• Using a motor vehicle on a road or public place without third party insurance

• Driving a motor vehicle otherwise than in accordance with a licence

He is due to be sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court on Friday, February 17.

A 25-year-old man from Bournemouth was issued with a postal requisition in relation to this incident. He appeared at court and pleaded guilty to three counts of criminal damage and is due to appear at Poole Magistrates’ Court for sentencing on Thursday, February 16.

A third man, aged 28 and from Sway in Hampshire, was issued with a postal requisition to appear at Poole Magistrates’ Court for an offence of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal. He is next due to appear at Bournemouth Crown Court on Friday, February 17.