A drink-driver who smashed into a wall appeared before Norwich magistrates

Two Norwich men from the same family whose offences included poaching and killing game out of season have been ordered by magistrates to pay £260 each in fines and costs.

Nathan Ward, 20, of Bacon Road, appeared for sentencing before Norwich magistrates yesterday, after earlier pleading guilty to killing game out of season and possession of an air rifle in a public place.

His uncle Sean Ward, 42, of Devonshire Street, pleaded guilty yesterday to daytime trespass in pursuit of game – poaching, and possession of a lock knife in a public place.

Prosecutor Alison Cotterill told the court the men and another family member, who was cautioned for his part in the crime, had driven in a van to the Ringland/Honingham area to the north-west of Norwich, on September 18 last year, in search of game to feed Sean Ward’s 20 ferrets.

She said: “A gamekeeper saw three men on the land, and was concerned what they were doing. He called police who arrived and found three dead pheasants nearby. They were then arrested.”

Alistair Taunton, for both men, said Nathan Ward had bought the air rifle a few days before for his birthday.

He added: “They saw three pheasants on the road and were not aware of any season for shooting. The shooting season, in fact, runs from October 1 to February 1.

“This happened at 1pm in the afternoon. They were not seeking to hide and not wearing dark clothing, and were out on a very quiet road.”

Both men were fined £160 with a victim surcharge of £15, and ordered to pay costs of £85. The district judge also ordered the forfeiture of the knife, rifle, and van as a deterrent to stop other people carrying out the same offences.