Man found guilty of attending a hare coursing event

A man has been found guilty of attending a large-scale hare coursing event in Cambridgeshire.

John Lee, 24, of Fen Road, Cambridge, was found guilty of attending a hare coursing event on 25 January 2025 at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (12 February).

He was issued three-year Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs) which prohibits him 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.

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 and except when travelling to and from the land the defendant owns or rents and must provide written proof of ownership or rental agreement to present to any police officer if required.

He must also pay a £400 fine and compensation to landowners in the sum of £1,000.

The conviction follows a force-wide investigation into hare coursing and associated criminal activity that took place on Saturday, 25 January 2025, affecting communities across Cambridgeshire including Fordham, Ely, Prickwillow, Littleport, Welney, Chatteris, March, Wimblington and Doddington. The operation, supported by multiple police forces and national crime units, resulted in 43 arrests and 25 individuals charged with a total of 39 offences.