Hare coursing
Maximum sentence: unlimited fine and/or 6 months’ custody · guideline effective from 01 June 2026
Independent editorial summary — not an official statement of the court, tribunal, or regulator.
This is a reference summary — not a definitive sentence
Sentencing is highly fact-specific. The judge follows a structured process: (1) determine offence category (harm × culpability); (2) identify starting point and range; (3) apply aggravating/mitigating factors; (4) consider guilty-plea reduction; (5) consider totality and ancillary orders. Only the authoritative Sentencing Council guideline gives the full grid for this offence.
The structured 5-step process
- Offence category. Determine harm and culpability (usually 1-3 each) — this gives a 3×3 grid.
- Starting point and range. The guideline specifies a starting-point sentence for each cell of the grid plus a range above and below.
- Adjust for factors. Apply statutory and offence-specific aggravators (e.g. previous convictions, on bail, hate motivation) and mitigators (e.g. first offence, age, sole carer status).
- Guilty-plea reduction. Up to one-third reduction for plea at first reasonable opportunity (sliding scale down to 10% if pleaded at trial).
- Totality, ancillaries, reasons. Consider concurrent/consecutive sentences, ancillary orders (compensation, restraining, driving disqualification, victim surcharge), and give reasons.
Factors increasing seriousness
Verbatim from the Sentencing Council guideline (non-exhaustive list).
- Previous convictions
- Offence committed whilst on bail
- Commission of offence whilst under the influence of alcohol or drugs
- Offence committed on licence or post sentence supervision or while subject to court order(s)
- Breach of a community protection notice
- Use of technology, including circulating details/photographs/videos etc of the offence on social media, to record, publicise or promote activity, or for the purposes of gambling
- Offence committed in the presence of children (where not already taken into account at step 1)
- Presence of weapons (where not taken into account at step 1)
- Use of vehicles to chase animals and avoid detection
- Significant number of dogs
- Attempts to conceal/dispose of evidence
- Established evidence of community/wider impact (where not already taken into account at step 1)
- Offences taken into consideration
Factors reducing seriousness or reflecting personal mitigation
Verbatim from the Sentencing Council guideline (non-exhaustive list).
- No previous convictions or no relevant/recent convictions
- Remorse
- Good character and/or exemplary conduct
- Serious medical conditions requiring urgent, intensive or long-term treatment
- Mental disorder, learning disability
- Age and/or lack of maturity
- Sole or primary carer for dependent relatives
- Pregnancy, childbirth and post-natal care
Last ingested: 2026-08-24 from sentencing-council.