A MAN who travelled from the Republic of Ireland to go hare coursing near Boston has been fined £250.

Joseph Kennedy of Stocking Hill, Ballyboden, Dublin, was also ordered to pay £85 costs and a £15 victim's surcharge after pleading guilty to a poaching charge when he went before Boston magistrates.

Prosecutor Jim Clare told the court that the 33-year-old and two other Irishmen were arrested having been seen using Lurcher dogs to hunt hares on a field in Amber Hill on December 29.

When questioned by police Kennedy denied he was hare coursing and said he had come into the country via ferry and was looking for a pub.

He claimed he was in the field as his dog needed to go to the toilet.

Representing himself in court, Kennedy, pointed out that hare coursing was legal in Ireland and added: "If I've caused any grief I'm terribly sorry."

The magistrates heard the two men arrested with Kennedy had subsequently been arrested for breaching their bail conditions and were due to appear at a later hearing at Grantham Magistrates Court.