Fernie hunting trial set to resume on 6 January

The trial of huntsman Derek Hopkins and terrierman Kevin Allen of the Fernie hunt, who face charges under the Hunting Act 2004 and Protection of Badgers Act 1992, restarts on 6 January.

The pair are accused of hunting a fox and digging it out of a badger sett on 27 January at Thorpe Langton, near Market Harborough. They deny the charges.

The trial opened at Leicester Magistrates Court on 13 December and was adjourned for Christmas on 16 December.

Phillip Mott, defending the Fernie, said the hunt had been trailhunting.

He is expected to explain how terrier work can be used legally within the Hunting Act to flush a fox to guns when the case resumes.

This news story was first published in Horse & Hound (23 December, 2010)

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