FIVE men have been charged with hunting offences near Wantage after allegedly being involved in hare coursing, where people bet on dogs chasing hares.

The men, all from Pontypool, in Gwent, were arrested in Southmoor, near Abingdon in January and were charged with daytime trespass on land in pursuit of game on Wednesday.

Danny Johnson, 58, of Cwmynyscoy Road; William Johnson, 23, and Jason Jones, 24, both of Folly View Lane; 27-year-old Tom Jones, of Upper Race; and Robert Smith, 19, of Lower Race, allegedly committed the offences near West Hanney.

The men have been released on bail to appear at Oxford Magistrates’ Court on May 5.