Two men banned from agricultural land after hare coursing chaos in Cambridgeshire

Two men have been banned from entering private and agricultural land across England and Wales following a major investigation into a chaotic day of hare coursing and criminal activity across Cambridgeshire.

Levi Lee, 36, of Basingstoke Road, Reading, and Francie Doherty, 47, of Gipsy Lane, Wellingborough, both pleaded guilty to attending the hare coursing event on 25 January and were each fined £500.

Both men were also issued with three-year Criminal Behaviour Orders at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court on 1 October, prohibiting them from entering or being present on any part of private or agricultural land within England and Wales, without the written permission of the owner, which can be presented to an officer upon request.

Lee was also banned from driving any vehicle with a sighthound breed dog, whilst outside of a five-mile radius of his home address, unless for a pre-arranged veterinary appointment, proof of appointment to be provided to an officer upon request.

The orders follow a force-wide investigation into the criminal activity on 25 January affecting Fordham, Ely, Prickwillow, Littleport, Welney, Chatteris, March, Wimblington and Doddington. Multiple police forces and national crime units have supported the operation, which has resulted in 43 arrests and 25 individuals, charged with 39 offences.

Det Insp Matthew Selves, who led the investigation, said: “This is a significant milestone in our efforts to tackle hare coursing and rural crime. These CBOs are believed to be the first of their kind in the country, setting a strong precedent for how seriously this type of offending is being taken. We hope this sends a clear message to others who think they can disrupt our rural communities without consequence.”

Breaching a CBO can result in up to five years in prison or an unlimited fine.

A further 20 men are due to appear in court over the coming months for sentencing and trials.