Trial dates set for illegal hunting cases

Trial dates have been set for a number of hunting supporters accused of illegal hunting with four packs.

Quantock Staghounds huntsman Richard Down will be tried on 22 November at Taunton Magistrates Court on one charge of illegal hunting arising from video evidence filmed by League Against Cruel Sports (LACS) investigators.

Derek Hopkins, huntsman of the Fernie, and countryman Kevin Allen each face one Hunting Act and one Badgers Act charge relating to an incident filmed by LACS and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) on 27 January 2010.

The trial is set for 13-16 December.

Master and huntsman Tony Winter, whipper-in Caroline Scott and member Wilf Gamble of the Sinnington have each been charged with one count of illegal hunting based on video evidence gathered covertly by LACS on 16 December 2009.

The trial is 9-10 December at Scarborough Magistrates Court.

South Devon terrierman Andrew Bellamy has been charged with one offence under the Badgers Act as a result of LACS filming. A trial date is yet to be set.

Tim Bonner of the Countryside Alliance said: “We believe they were all hunting within the law.”

This article was first published in Horse & Hound (4 November, ’10)

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