Police drone films poachers catapulting pheasants from a car, but the driver is let off with a victim awareness course
The 29-year-old from Dibden Purlieu in the New Forest, who admitted using a catapult to fire ball bearings at pheasants from a moving car, was dealt with by community resolution rather than charge.
The 29-year-old driver, from Dibden Purlieu in the New Forest, admitted his part and walked away with a community resolution. At least three men fired ball bearings at wild birds from a Honda CR-V at Linkenholt, near Andover, on 7 October. One pheasant was injured and the car churned tyre tracks through crops. He also received a Community Protection Notice Warning.
Trained civilian volunteers flew the drone in what police call a first-of-its-kind scheme.
Hampshire police warned rural criminals: 'We have eyes in the sky, and we are watching you.'
Only breaching a full notice later could see him arrested and prosecuted.