A pair of men have been handed three-year bans preventing them from accessing private and agricultural land throughout England and Wales after a significant hare coursing investigation.
Levi Lee, aged 36, from Basingstoke Road in Reading, and Francie Doherty, aged 47, from Gipsy Lane in Wellingborough, both admitted to participating in a hare coursing event on 25 January. Each received a £500 fine.
Beyond the financial penalties, Peterborough Magistrates’ Court imposed three-year Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs) on both individuals yesterday (1 October). The orders ban them from:
Being present on or entering any portion of private or agricultural land within England and Wales without obtaining written consent from the property owner, which must be available to show to police officers when requested.
(Applicable to Levi Lee exclusively) Operating any vehicle carrying a sighthound breed dog when more than five miles from his residential address, except when attending pre-scheduled veterinary appointments, with proof of the appointment required for presentation to officers when asked.
The orders stem from a county-wide investigation into hare coursing and related criminal conduct that occurred on Saturday, 25 January, impacting communities throughout Cambridgeshire, including Fordham, Ely, Prickwillow, Littleport, Welney, Chatteris, March, Wimblington and Doddington. The operation, which received assistance from numerous police forces and national crime units, led to 43 arrests, with 25 individuals facing charges totalling 39 offences.
Detective Inspector Matthew Selves, who oversaw 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.”
Violating a CBO constitutes a criminal offence carrying potential penalties of up to five years’ imprisonment or an unlimited fine.
An additional 20 men are scheduled to appear in court during the forthcoming months for sentencing hearings and trials.
Source: Cambridgeshire Constabulary