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Three men banned from private and agricultural land for three years
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Three men have been banned from entering private and agricultural land across England and Wales following a major hare coursing investigation.
Mark Harris Senior, 48, and Mark Harris Junior, 21, of Clay Lake, Spalding, and Tom Bower, 27, of Beck Bank, Gosberton Clough, Spalding, pleaded guilty to attending a hare coursing event on 25 January 2025 at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court yesterday (5 February).
The trio were issued three-year Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs) which prohibit 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.
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.
They must also pay compensation to landowners in the sum of £1,000 for Bower and Harris Snr and £500 for Harris Jnr.
These orders follow 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.
Detective Inspector Matthew Selves, who led the investigation, said: “Today’s outcome sends a strong message that hare coursing and the associated criminality will not be tolerated in our rural communities. These orders give us the powers we need to protect farmers and landowners, and to ensure those who cause harm are held to account.”