Three men from Spalding have been issued three-year Criminal Behaviour Orders (CBOs) barring them from entering private or agricultural land across England and Wales, following their convictions for attending an illegal hare coursing event in January 2025.
Mark Harris Senior, 48, and Mark Harris Junior, 21, of Clay Lake, Spalding, and Tom Bower, 27, of Beck Bank, Gosberton Clough, all pleaded guilty at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court on 5 February 2026 to attending a hare coursing event held on 25 January 2025.
The CBOs impose strict conditions, including prohibitions on entering private or agricultural land without the written permission of the owner and restrictions on transporting sighthound dogs outside a five-mile radius of home, unless for veterinary appointments or on land they own or rent.
Additionally, the trio must compensate affected landowners: £1,000 each for Bower and Harris Senior, and £500 for Harris Junior.
Investigation uncovers widespread rural criminality
These orders follow an extensive police investigation into hare coursing and associated criminality that swept across Cambridgeshire on 25 January 2025.
The operation involved multiple police forces and national crime units, resulting in 43 arrests and 25 individuals charged with 39 offences, including criminal damage, violent disorder, trespass with intent to poach, and traffic violations.
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.”
The January 2025 hare coursing event, described by locals as “chaotic” and “like something out of Mad Max,” involved over 70 individuals driving a convoy of 4x4s, many wearing balaclavas.
Lurcher dogs were used to chase hares and reportedly deer, while vehicles tore through fields, destroyed fences, and caused extensive agricultural damage. Villages affected included Welney, Chatteris, March, Wimblington, Doddington, Ely, Littleport, Prickwillow, and Fordham.
Local farmers reported hours-long intrusions on private land and threatening behaviour toward residents. Eyewitnesses described scenes of reckless driving and destruction, heightening the fear and disruption caused by the event.
Legal outcomes across the region
Peterborough Magistrates’ Court handled the majority of prosecutions related to the January 2025 events. Early guilty pleas were entered in many cases, while others went to trial, extending hearings into late 2025 and early 2026.
Notable outcomes included:
- Levi Lee, 36, of Reading, and Francie Doherty, 47, of Wellingborough, who were each fined £500 and issued three-year CBOs preventing entry to private or agricultural land without permission.
- A 13-year-old from Solihull pleaded guilty to driving offences associated with the event but was not charged with core hare coursing offences; he received a £50 fine and six penalty points to be applied once he reaches driving age.
Compensation orders ranged from £500 to £1,000, reflecting damages caused to farmland and property. The focus of sentencing has largely been on long-term behavioural bans and reparations, rather than custodial sentences, aiming to prevent repeat offences and protect rural communities.
National and local reactions
The National Farmers’ Union (NFU) welcomed the CBOs and fines, describing them as a strong deterrent to protect farmland and rural residents from organised criminal hare coursing. The NFU highlighted the case as a landmark in wildlife crime enforcement, reinforcing calls for stronger sentencing guidelines and consistent prosecution of rural offences.
Cambridgeshire Police emphasised the importance of multi-agency collaboration, noting that the operation involved officers from Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Norfolk, Lincolnshire, Thames Valley, West Mercia, Leicestershire, and national crime units. The coordinated approach allowed the force to respond rapidly to the scale and organisation of the January 2025 event.
Looking ahead: Deter, prevent, protect
While isolated hare coursing incidents continue across England and Wales, the January 2025 event remains one of the most significant in recent years. Authorities hope that the combination of CBOs, fines, and public awareness will serve as a clear warning to others considering similar criminal behaviour.
Farmers and residents in Cambridgeshire expressed relief at the outcome. One local landowner, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “This kind of activity devastates our livelihoods. The court orders show that the law is on our side, and it gives us hope that our communities can feel safe again.”
Detective Inspector Selves concluded: “This case demonstrates the commitment of law enforcement to rural communities and wildlife protection. We will continue to take action against those who think they can flout the law in our fields and villages.”
