A man caught hare coursing in East and Midlothian has received the first Anti Social Behaviour Order for this crime in Scotland.

Keith Livingston (54) was also fined £150 for each of two offences under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, at Edinburgh Sheriff Court on Friday (23rd October 2015).

The conditions of the ASBO prevent him from entering land with a dog or with other people with a dog in the counties of East Lothian and Midlothian for a period of 18 months.

Livingston was arrested near Pathhead, Midlothian during a police crackdown on hare coursing last October.

PC Jamie Hood, Wildlife Liaison Officer for the Lothians and Scottish Borders, said: "Hare coursing is a crime that has no consideration for wildlife or the impact on people who legitimately make a living from the land.

"People involved in this activity can also be involved in other criminal activity.

"This sentence should serve as a serious deterrent to anyone involved in hare coursing in Scotland."

Police Scotland's wildlife crime campaign seeks support from the public to help put an end to wildlife crime, to keep their eyes open and to report suspicious activity immediately on 101 or anonymously through Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.