Two men were arrested on suspicion of a poaching offence before they were able to harm any wildlife.
Christopher Buck, 27, and Nathan Hopkinson, 36, were found trespassing on private woodland on 30 November 2025.
An officer was patrolling the local area when he spotted a vehicle with links to poaching parked at a lay-by near Osberton Grange, Retford Road, at around 2 pm.
After confirming with the landowner that no consent had been provided for individuals to enter the land, his suspicions were heightened and he began to search the area.
That was when he spotted the duo and searched them. They were accompanied by three lurcher dogs.
A catapult, ball bearings and a thermal monocular were found in their possession — all items typically used for poaching.
The pair initially denied any offences in police interviews, but Buck, of Cheapside, Worksop, and Hopkinson, of Hardwick Road West, Worksop, went on to plead guilty to daytime trespassing in pursuit of game — poaching on 3 March 2026.
Appearing in Mansfield Magistrates’ Court on that same day, they were both ordered to pay a financial penalty of £111 and given a 12-month conditional discharge.
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PC Mark Holland, who led the investigation, said:
“Poaching is a cruel and destructive activity that causes significant harm to wildlife and rural communities.
“Rural and wildlife crime remains a priority in Bassetlaw, and I hope this action shows that we do take it seriously and will continue to put resources behind this type of work.
“This includes regular operations with our neighbouring forces, so anyone engaged in this type of activity should be warned that they run the risk of coming face-to-face with a police officer.”
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