A POACHER caught near Alresford has been fined by magistrates.

Amos Smith, 49, of Alfreds Road, Kingsmere, West Sussex, was captured on January 30 on Page’s Down, Brockwood Estate, near Bramdean.

Smith admitted trespassing in pursuit of “game, woodcock, snipes and conies (rabbits)”.

Magistrates in Basingstoke fined him £55 and ordered that he pay a £20 victim surcharge and £40 costs.