Four men were set to appear before magistrates charged with hare coursing in West Ilsley.

John Light, 34, of Mylum Close, Whitley Wood, Reading, has been charged with offences under the Hunting Act.

Four men were arrested by Thames Valley Police near Bury Lane, West Ilsley on October 26, last year.

A gamekeeper had called police after spotting men on his land with lurcher dogs and believed them to be hare coursing.

A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said four men were charged last Thursday.

Light has been charged with daytime trespassing in pursuit of game poaching, driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence and driving without insurance.

Jimmy James, 33, of Aldermaston Road, Tadley, was charged with daytime trespassing in pursuit of game poaching, possession of a bladed article in a public place and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.

Albert Kempster, 33, of Arters Lawn, Southampton, and Kirk Rees, 43, of Macauley Gardens, Newport, Gwent, were both charged with daytime trespassing in pursuit of game poaching.

The four were released on bail to appear at Newbury Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 5th February.