Video: Suspected hare courser jailed after 100mph chase

A man has been jailed for two months after a dangerous 100mph police pursuit in the countryside.

Nelson Hedges, 32, was reported by the public, who suspected he had been hare coursing in his silver Mazda Tribute near Iselham, Cambridgeshire.

Officers spotted his vehicle, covered in mud and with dogs in the boot, driving through the village.

See also: What to do if you’re a victim of… hare coursing

Hedges drove at speeds of nearly 100mph in a 40mph zone and darted across two junctions without stopping, before driving on to a farmer’s field in a bid to escape. 

He caused an estimated £200 worth of damage to crops.

Hedges, from Guildford Road, Guildford, Surrey, was also disqualified from driving for 19 months, with an extended retest, after pleading guilty to dangerous driving and criminal damage at Cambridge Crown Court on Tuesday (7 January).

He was ordered to pay £200 in compensation, £500 in costs and handed a 10-year criminal behaviour order.

The conditions of the order include no possession of any sight hound in Cambridgeshire, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Suffolk and Essex, and no access to farmland, or any yards or working areas associated with that land within Cambridgeshire, without the permission of the land owner.

‘Ridiculous speeds’

Det Cons Tom Nuttall said: “Hedges was so intent to make off from police, he drove at ridiculous speeds and straight through junctions, risking the safety of other road users.

“I’m grateful to the member of the public who called to report their concerns.

“Tip-offs like these help us target those causing problems in rural areas – we remain committed to tackling these kind of offences.”