A 21-YEAR-OLD Forest man is among five people accused of going equipped for illegal hare coursing in Gloucestershire.

Billy Smith of Starcroft Lane, Minsterworth, is alleged to have been equipped with a car, dogs, lamps and slingshot to search or pursue hares in the Cheltenham area on 27th January 2026.

The other four defendants are all from the Newport and Merthyr Tydfil areas of South Wales.

They are: Jayden Lewis, 21, of Pantyffn Road, Penyard, Merthyr; Thomas Hearne, 20, of Blaenant Road, Nantyglo; William Bridges, 18, of Stone Houses, Blaina, Abertillery; and Tom Regan, 24, of Gwalia Terrace, Blaina.

The charge against the men states that their alleged actions were a breach of the Police, Crime, Sentencing and Courts Act 2023.

All five were listed before Cheltenham Magistrates Court on Tuesday, August 18th, and their case was adjourned until 30th September, when they will be expected to enter their pleas to the charge.