Man handed ten-year order for hare coursing activity

A man has been given a strict ten-year court order which bans him from having a dog off lead and carrying a catapult or air weapon.

Jimmy Lee, 22, was given the criminal behaviour order (CBO) after being involved in anti-social behaviour linked to hare coursing in Fenland.

At Cambridge Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday (2 June), Lee, of College Road in College Town, Sandhurst, Berkshire, was made subject of the order which covers Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex, Kent, Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire, and Hertfordshire.

It states he must:

1. Not be in possession of, be in control of, or be in the company of any dog on private land without the owner’s written permission
2. When in possession of, in control of, or in the company of any dog, it must be on a lead
3. Not be in a vehicle with any dog, whilst outside of a five-mile radius of his home in Devon or his mobile home when working away, unless for a pre-arranged veterinary appointment
4. Not be in possession of a catapult or shot, such as ball bearing, and/or an air weapon or any part of an air weapon, in a public place

Lee was arrested in December for breaching a community protection notice (CPN), after he was caught being involved in anti-social behaviour linked to hare coursing on numerous occasions across Fenland and Lincolnshire in 2025.

He was fined £200 after admitting the offence at the same court on 17 February.

PC Pete Mills, from the force’s rural crime action team, said: “Lee was initially given a community protection warning in January after he was caught hare coursing. However, he breached it in September, resulting in a CPN being imposed and eventually his arrest two months later.

“We use these warnings as a way to impose conditions on individuals and give them the chance to stop the behaviour. If they fail to do so, further action can be taken through arrests and putting them before the courts.

“The force is committed to tackling hare coursing, and we will continue to work closely with our rural communities and respond to reports.”

Anyone who witnesses hare coursing should report it immediately by calling 999. Information about suspicious vehicles, trespassers or any other concerns can be reported on 101 or via www.cambs.police.uk.