Bradford City release statement on Pontefract striker Kian Harratt who was fined for hare coursing

Kian Harratt, who is on loan at City from Huddersfield Town, was fined alongside Billy Haigh from South Hiendley, Codie Colin Smith from Brierley for poaching offences in East Yorkshire.

The club confirmed Harratt would not be involved in City’s FA match against Harrogate Town at Valley Parade on Saturday.

In a statement, the club said: “Bradford City AFC is aware of recent reports concerning on-loan striker Kian Harratt.

"The 20-year-old’s parent club, Huddersfield Town, is currently investigating the matter further, and working to establish the full facts.

“Harratt will not be involved for City for this weekend’s Emirates FA Cup visit of Harrogate Town.”

Following reports of hare coursing on farmland in the Wressle, near Howden, on April 3 this year, a vehicle was stopped, and the three men were dealt with by police for Game Act offences.

Harratt was playing on loan for Port Vale at the time of the offences and has previously had spells at Harrogate Town and Guiseley.

He was also a part of youth academies at Leeds United and Barnsley before moving to Huddersfield.

At Beverley Magistrates Court on October 26, the three were convicted of daytime poaching under Section 30 of the Game Act 1831.

Harratt, aged 20, of Craven Road in Pontefract was fined £830 and ordered to pay £150 in costs and a victim surcharge of £83.

Billy Haigh, aged 20, of Main Street, South Heindley, Barnsley was fined £519 and ordered to pay £150 in costs and a victim surcharge of £52.

Codie Colin Smith, aged 18, of Frickley Bridge Lane, Brierley, Barnsley, was fined o£173 and ordered to pay £150 in costs and a victim surcharge of £34.

Humberside Police Rural Task Force Sergeant Kevin Jones said: “We will not tolerate the barbaric act of hare coursing, not only causing unimaginable suffering to our wildlife but also causing issues for local landowners who are often the subject of antisocial behaviour and damage to their land and property.”