CONVICTED (2024) | Thomas Ledbury, born c. 1985, of Pine Close, Corsham SN13 0LB – part of a group of huntsmen that threw a live fox to a pack of hounds.
Tom Ledbury was captured on video watching another person remove a terrified fox from his den before throwing the animal to a pack of hunting dogs.
Ledbury, who was employed by the now defunct Avon Vale Hunt as a terrierman, pleaded guilty to aiding and abetting another to commit an offence, namely unnecessary suffering to a fox.
Video footage obtained by hunt saboteurs showed Ledbury supervising hunt members as they throw a live fox to a pack of baying hounds in an incident near Melksham on December 24, 2020.
The video shows the fox being bitten on its right hind upper leg and upper neck as it is launched into the pack.
Ledbury is shown looking on as the horrifically cruel incident takes place.
An expert witness told the court there was no doubt that the fox was alive when he was pulled from the hole. He added that the poor creature would have experienced severe fear and extreme pain whilst being torn apart by the hounds. It would have eventually lost consciousness and died.
Two other men – namely Oliver Thompson of Faringdon, Oxfordshire and then Avon Vale Hunt Master Stuart Radbourne, a serial wildlife persecutor from Chippenham, Wiltshire, were convicted in relation to the same incident.
Stuart Radbourne (left) and Oliver Thompson
Thompson was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to a fox following trial and sentenced to a 20-week suspended prison sentence. Radbourne received a suspended 18-week custodial sentence.
Image credit: Wiltshire Hunt Saboteurs
A fourth man named Charlie Ball was also present and initially prosecuted. Unfortunately, the status of the prosecution against him isn’t currently known.
Charlie Ball (standing) pictured with Tom Ledbury. Photo credit: Wiltshire Hunt Saboteurs – Twitter
A fifth hunt member identified by Wiltshire Hunt Saboteurs as Rob Shearring was shown in the video with a spade and “assisting with the illegal kill”. It is unclear why charges have not been brought against Shearring given his clear involvement.
The Avon Vale Hunt was disbanded in February 2023 after it was removed from the sport’s governing body following the leaking of a video showing two foxes being dug out of the earth and thrown to waiting hounds on December 20, 2022.
Chief Inspector Will Mitchell, from the RSPCA’s Special Operations Unit which led the investigation, named Operation Aurora, said: “As part of a larger investigation the video footage was identified from a seized mobile phone.
“This shocking hunt video shows the lack of compassion and empathy for this fox who is thrown to a pack of baying hounds to be ripped apart. It’s really worrying to think anyone may find treating an animal this way fun.”
Sentencing | 12-month community order with a requirement to undertake 240 hours of unpaid work.
Ledbury runs a business called Tom Ledbury Maintenance and Installations. He currently holds a contract with Bath and North East Somerset Council to repair and maintain street furniture and park infrastructure.
CONVICTED (2023) | father and son wildlife persecutors Robert Mills, born c. 1956, and Jack Mills, born c. 2001, both of Little Orchard, Exted, Elham, Canterbury CT4 6YG – used superglue to patch up the wounds of a dog forced to fight a fox.
Jack Mills (left), his father Robert Mills (centre) and an as yet unidentified Kent Hounds terrierman. Photo credit: West Kent Hunt Sabs
Robert and Jack Mills, who are believed to be terriermen with the Kent Hounds, used the strong commercial adhesive in a botched DIY effort to put the Patterdale terrier’s lip back together after she was maimed during the illegal chase.
The terrier, known as Fudge, was one of two dogs discovered with shocking injuries at the pair’s family home in Elham, near Canterbury.
The other, a lurcher called Rose, had extensive scars across her face, a large part of her tongue missing and she had a weeping nailbed on one of her paws.
Photo credit: Kent Online. Robert Mills is pictured outside court (left)
The Mills had allowed the animals to suffer without seeking proper treatment for their injuries.
Incriminating messages – including a photo of a smiling Jack Mills posing with a dead fox – were found during examinations of their mobile photos.
In court, both men pleaded to two counts of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.
The court was told police executed a warrant at their home on January 18, 2023, as part of an RSPCA investigation known as Operation Aurora.
In a statement provided to the court, RSPCA special operations officer Jason Bowles, said: “Rose from kennel A had a large part of the skin around her lower jaw missing and part of her tongue. Her feet were discoloured. She had extensive scarring to her face and muzzle.
“Fudge from kennel A had part of her lower jaw in an unusual state in that it looked to have been injured in the past and had healed in an odd shape and she had scarring to the muzzle.
“There was a strong smell of ammonia in the building but I took into consideration that this was early in the morning, possibly before an early morning routine had been executed.
“Bedding was inadequate in all kennels in that they did have hard beds but only remnants of straw in some.
“Water bowls were present but at least one kennel only had remnants of water. Bowls could easily be knocked over and spills take place. Empty bowls were refilled.”
Of the five dogs kept in kennels in the outbuilding, two of them – Rose and Fudge – were seized.
The court was shown messages discussing how Robert and Jack Mills had used glue to try to repair degloved tissue on a dog’s lip after she had been injured by a fox. No pain relief had been sought
Recounting the notes of an expert veterinarian who examined the animals, prosecutor Janet Patel told magistrates: “There was damage to the skin of Rose’s lower jaw with the site of a deep tear or cut visible on the lower jaw and a loss of the lip margin contiguity.
“A significant amount of the tongue had been lost in a surgical or traumatic incident. The lesions are consistent with those that could be received in a fight between this dog and a large mammal such as a dog, fox, or badger.”
The vet added that a nail was missing on Rose’s left paw, oozing fluid and causing clear pain to the dog.
Fudge was found to have suffered significant damage to his face and head, and was missing a number of front teeth.
“The person caring for Fudge cut off some tissue, used commercial superglue to try and repair degloved tissue on her face and did not administer any pain medication,” the prosecutor added.
Messages shared between Robert and Jack Mills – both bricklayers by trade – described the dogs being used to hunt foxes.
Records from their phones indicated Fudge was caused harm in November 2021.
The vet added: “The entries, dated 16.11.2021, lead me to believe that Fudge was involved in a fight with a mammal such as a fox, large dog, or badger.
“The use of the word ‘hangin’ implies the lower jaw has been degloved to some extent, leaving the tissue literally hanging. There are two more statements. Firstly, that super glue has been used to try and put it back together and secondly that some of the flesh has been cut away.” This referred to a message, containing a typo, which said: “I just cut a bit of.”
Fudge had significant facial injuries and was missing several front teeth
The vet continued: “To advise the court in this matter I am forming my opinion on the basis that the person caring for Fudge cut off some tissue, used commercial super glue to try and repair the degloved tissue and did not administer any medication.”
Another mobile phone message discovered by officers read: “Had any joy with the fox?”
A picture of a dead fox was also shared with the words: “Went out this morning, Fudge killed it.”
Rose had a swollen toe with a nail missing. The vet that examined her said she vocalised her pain during examination
Ms Patel added: “That is the language of both Jack and Robert tracking and killing foxes, and it is not them flushing a fox out so that it can be killed humanely with a pistol.
“Both Jack and Robert Mills have shown deliberate disregard for the welfare of animals by placing them in situations where they sustained these horrific injuries.”
When questioned by police, Robert said that the dogs’ facial injuries had occurred when Rose and Fudge encountered a badger in the garden and that both dogs had been attacked by a rabbit.
But his son contradicted that claim in an interview, saying that neither dog had ever come across a badger.
Mitigating, solicitor Sam Harkness told the bench both men were remorseful.
“Mr Mills says he has owned dogs all his life. He deeply regrets his actions and Mr Mills Junior says this is a steep learning curve,” said Mr Harkness.
“They are both devastated that they have been involved in these proceedings, but they have cooperated.”
The charges related specifically to Fudge’s facial injury and the wound to Rose’s foot, which was sustained in the days before the police visit in January 2023.
During a discussion about the prospect of both defendants being banned from keeping any animals, the pair were seen intensely shaking their heads.
Sentencing the pair, chairwoman of the bench Patricia Light told them they had “broken the custody threshold because there is more than one dog with deliberate suffering,”
She added: “The fact that you have access to a vet and financial means to pay for treatment and yet still did not seek treatment shows deliberate disregard for the welfare of the animals.”
She continued: “We are also granting a deprivation order for Fudge and Rose and the RSPCA will seize your other dogs.
“We are also granting a disqualification order for both of you in relation to owning, keeping, or participating in controlling or transporting any animals for five years, no application may be made to appeal this for two years.”
Rose and Fudge, who have remained with the RSPCA since January 2023, can now be rehomed.
The Mills’ other three dogs will be seized within 14 days, with magistrates also giving them two weeks to rehome a number of chickens and ferrets.
Sentencing | 23-week custodial, suspended for two years; 150 hours of unpaid work; £500 costs and £154 surcharge each. Five year ban in relation to all animals, but can appeal after two years (expires December 2028).
CONVICTED | huntsman Oliver Thompson, 32, of 4 Old Berks Hunt Kennels, Little Coxwell, Faringdon SN7 8ES – baited a petrified fox cub with a dog while his wife Felicity Thompson, aka Felicity Hook, filmed events.
Huntsman Oliver Thompson was filmed training a terrier to attack a fox
Thompson, formerly of the Old Berkshire Hunt, was filmed removing a young fox from a trap and repeatedly putting her in close proximity to a terrier named Nelly in July 2020.
The video – filmed near Melksham, Wiltshire – was leaked and the RSPCA successfully prosecuted the defendant Oliver Thompson for causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.
Thompson pleaded guilty to the offence at Swindon Magistrates’ Court, and appeared for sentencing on Monday 11 December.
He also admitted second charge of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal – which involved throwing a fox to a pack of hounds on Christmas Eve 2020.
Magistrates described his offending as “sadistic behaviour” in which he had a “leading role”.
Thompson’s wife Felicity Thompson aka Felicity Hook had the case against her dismissed after the prosecution offered no evidence.
Felicity Thompson, whose voice is heard on the video, was also charged. However, prosecutors offered no evidence and the case against her was dismissed.
After the footage was leaked, the British Hound Sports Association said it had suspended Oliver Thompson pending further investigation. but he subsequently resigned from the Old Berkshire Hunt.
A spokesperson for the Hunt Saboteurs Association said that it was “no surprise for us to learn about the latest incident of animal cruelty”.
They added: “These two new offences pre-date, but are in addition to the recent court case of Stuart Radbourne and whipper-in Aaron Fookes who were also sentenced Hunting Act and Animal Welfare Act offences, when they also threw a fox to the hounds in Brokerswood in December 2022.
“Hunt Saboteurs are out in the fields, week in week out and witness the cruelty at every hunt we attend. The next government must act and close down the smokescreen of trail hunting for good.”
Sentencing | 20-week prison sentence suspended for two years; 300 hours of unpaid work; costs of £2,500. No dog ban was imposed but the court ordered Thompson to hand Nelly the terrier over to the RSPCA. It’s not known if she will be re-homed or put to sleep.
‘Not Guilty’ (2023) | huntsman Myles O’Connor, born c 1993, of 3 Greenwells Cottages, Melrose TD6 9HE – cleared of illegally hunting a fox with dogs.
Myles O’Connor, formerly a whipper-in with the Buccleuch Hunt, is now believed to be working for the Old Berkshire Hunt in Faringdon, Oxfordshire. Image credit: Scottish Borders Hunt Sabs
O’Connor, of the Buccleuch Hunt based in the Scottish Borders, was found not guilty of hunting a fox with dogs at Hume, near Kelso, on 22 December 2021.
It was claimed that a hound started chasing a fox after picking up a scent and nothing was done to stop the pursuit.
Myles O’Connor gets friendly with fellow wildlife killer Tim Allen, also of the Buccleuch Hunt. Source: Scottish Borders Hunt Sabs
However, Mark Moir KC said in his closing statement: “Mr O’Connor did not see the single hound chasing the fox and therefore was not deliberately involved in encouraging the hunting.”
After considering the evidence, Sheriff Peter Paterson agreed and delivered a not guilty verdict.
He said: “It is well known that cases of this nature involve highly emotive issues with a clear polar divide.
“That is not a matter for the court. It is for the court to apply the law.
“In this case, thankfully and possibly for the last time, this does not need the complexities of the 2002 Act.
“It boils down to whether the accused witnessed the single hound pursuing the fox and under the law I need to be satisfied beyond reasonable doubt.”
Sheriff Paterson said he agreed with Mr Moir’s position that O’Connor did not see the hound pursuing the fox and, if he had, he would have taken steps to recall that hound.
He added he had no difficulty in returning a not guilty verdict in this case.
O’Connor, who gave an address in Melrose, is no longer with the Buccleuch Hunt and is understood to be working for the Old Berkshire Hunt, which is based in Faringdon, Oxfordshire.
Robbie Marsland, director of the LACS, said it was disappointed with “yet another not guilty verdict”.
He said it showed the need for a “new, stronger law” to replace the 2002 act, which the group said had led to only one successful prosecution for mounted fox hunting.
‘NOT GUILTY’ (2023) | Sarah Kate Moulds, née Stimson, born June 1984, of 2 Oakham Road, Somerby, Melton Mowbray LE14 2QF – acquitted by a jury despite being filmed kicking a pony to the chest and slapping him across the head four times.
‘Not guilty’ | Sarah Moulds, a former primary school teacher, was filmed kicking and striking a pony during a fox hunt.
After a three-day trial at Lincoln crown court Sarah Moulds was cleared of animal cruelty by a jury. She and several friends and family also in court, wept as the verdict was delivered.
The vile incident, which took place in Gunby, Lincolnshire, on 6 November 2021, was caught on camera by the Hertfordshire Hunt Saboteurs when Moulds was out with the Cottesmore Hunt.
The RSPCA, which brought the prosecution, argued that Moulds’ actions would have caused the 12-year-old horse, called Bruce, ‘fear, distress and psychological suffering’.
An equine vet who gave evidence in court said Bruce demonstrated fear in the video, which the Crown said constituted suffering at Moulds’ hands.
But Moulds claimed she had acted because Bruce had broken free from a child and needed to be disciplined. She also insisted she had not hurt him.
Bruce was taken to a vet 10 days after the incident and was found to be ‘in very good health’.
Following her acquittal, Moulds claimed the RSPCA’s decision to prosecute her was “political”
The court heard that Moulds and her family had been bombarded with death threats and “messages of hate” after the footage went viral on social media.
Moulds was suspended, then sacked from her job as a primary school teacher. The Pony Club, where she volunteered as a team leader, also dismissed her.
Following the ‘not guilty’ verdict, the RSPCA defended its decision to prosecute Moulds, citing a 95% success rate in animal welfare cases that it brings to court.
It led the prosecution case alone, with no input from the police or the Crown Prosecution Service.
A spokesperson told MailOnline: ‘We do not take the decision to bring prosecution lightly.
‘We apply the same tests as the Crown Prosecution Service to decide whether to prosecute someone for animal welfare offences.
‘This requires there to be sufficient evidence for a realistic prospect of conviction and for it to be in the public interest to prosecute.
‘This case was reviewed by a prosecution case manager, an independent solicitor and a barrister who all agreed that the evidential test was met and with the support of two expert vets.
‘We accept the court’s decision today and thank the jury for their careful consideration, but the public can be assured the RSPCA will always look into concerns that are raised to us about animal neglect and cruelty.
‘We believe that treating all animals with kindness will lead to a more compassionate society and we need everyone to help us do that.
‘Animals do not learn well when they are scared or stressed so physically punishing them is not effective, as a wealth of science shows.
‘That’s why we advocate the use of positive reward training instead of force and fear.’
CONVICTED (2023) ex-Wynnstay Hunt employee Christopher J Woodward, born 20 November 1984, previously of Ruabon, Wrexham, but now of Huntsman House, The Kennels, South Lawn, Swinbrook, Burford OX18 4FH – caught interfering with a badger sett.
Christopher Woodward is now employed by the Heythrop Hunt
On 3 February 2023, huntsman Christopher Woodward and a second Wynnstay Hunt employee identified as whipper-in Charlie Young were caught red-handed blocking the badger sett near Whitchurch, North Wales, in preparation for the following day’s hunting in the area.
Hunt saboteurs confronted the pair, who fled the scene. .
North Wales Police launched an investigation which led to the prosecution of Woodward, who is now employed by the Heythrop Hunt, based in Banbury, West Oxfordshire,
According to the Hunt Saboteurs Association (HSA) Woodward and Young were caught three weeks earlier blocking the same badger sett.
The purpose of this cruel practice, which can cause badgers to suffocate, is to force foxes above ground so that they can be illegally hunted.
Woodward’s alleged accomplice Charlie Young. It’s not known if he also faced charges
Following Woodward’s conviction an HSA spokesperson said: “The blocking of badger setts is routine practice by fox hunts across the country.
“Not only is such behaviour illegal under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992, it provides obvious evidence of the intent to/commit offences under the Hunting Act.
“The fact that this seedy pair were caught on film at the same badger sett only weeks earlier beggars belief and provides further compelling evidence of the habitual nature of such offences.”
Woodward is due to appear in court again in October 2023 to face charges in relation to breaches of the Hunting Act.
Sentencing | £500 fine plus £200 victim surcharge and £85 costs. The fine takes into account his guilty plea and income and is to be paid within 28 days.
CONVICTED (2023) | Avon Vale Hunt members Aaron Marcus Fookes, born 16 December 1993, of Townsend Green, Henstridge, Templecombe BA8 0TT, and Stuart Timothy Radbourne, born 11 April 1984, of 45 The Common, Chippenham SN15 2JJ – unearthed a live fox and threw her to a pack of hounds.
Aaron Fookes (left) and Stuart Radbourne – a convicted badger baiter – pleaded guilty to wildlife offences after being filmed unearthing a fox and throwing her to hounds. Photo: Wiltshire999s
Avon Vale Hunt whipper-in Fookes and hunt master Radbourne pleaded guilty to wildlife offences. The pair were prosecuted after a video emerged on social media showing the hunt duo and others pulling a live fox out of a den and throwing the terrified animal to a pack of hounds.
Crown prosecutor Patrick Schneider said the pair had been hunting in Brokerswood, Wiltshire, when video footage – which was later leaked to anti-hunt activists – was taken of them.
The footage, taken on 20 December 2022, showed Fookes kneeling down over the entrance of a badger sett with his arms down into it, pulling out a live fox. Radbourne is heard making whooping noises before the fox is chucked to a large pack of hounds and killed.
Solicitor Sam Harkness, representing both men, said that press coverage of the incident has “utterly destroyed the lives of the defendants”.
They were both left jobless, with Fookes leaving the county due to threats made against him.
Fookes now works as an agricultural contractor earning around £2,000 per month, whilst Radbourne is struggling with “significant debts” and earning £1,000 a month as a farmer and equestrian.
Radbourne, who faced one charge of hunting a wild mammal with dogs, was fined £384 and told to pay £42.50 costs and a £154 surcharge.
Photo: Wiltshire999s
Fookes was handed an 18-month community order for animal cruelty. He must complete 200 hours of unpaid work. For the fox hunting offence, he was fined £833 and must pay £42.50 costs and a £330 surcharge.
Aaron Fookes (left) and Stuart Radbourne
Alex Warden, born c. 1998, of Wood Road, North Bradley, Trowbridge, appeared in court in July 2023 where he denied illegally hunting a wild mammal with dogs.
Warden also denied causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal.
He chose to be tried by a jury at crown court and will appear at Salisbury Crown Court on 21 December, 2023.
The defendant was granted bail on the condition he does not participate in any trail-hunting in Wiltshire.
Two other people arrested earlier in the year will face no further action.
In February 2023, after footage of this incident was circulated on social media, the Hound Sports Regulatory Authority (HSRA) panel barred the Avon Vale Hunt – meaning the group could no longer operate.
Stuart Radbourne was back before the courts on October 27,2023, to be sentenced for an earlier animal cruelty offence.
He pleaded guilty to being jointly concerned with others in causing unnecessary suffering to a fox by causing it to be thrown to and savaged by hounds in Melksham on December 24, 2020.
Due to the seriousness of the offence, where a child was present, harm was caused to a protected animal, and the incident was filmed and shared with others, he received an 18-week prison sentence which was suspended for 12 months.
During those 12 months, he must carry out 200 hours of unpaid work, as well as pay £750 in court costs and £128 to fund victim services.
CONVICTED (2023) | Sarah Bliss, age unknown, of Upper Rectory Farm, Daglingworth, Cirencester GL7 7HY – ran an unlicensed boarding kennels business where a dog died from heatstroke.
Cotswold Hunt member Sarah Bliss caused the death of a dog at her illegal boarding kennels business
Bliss, a huntswoman with the Cotswold Hunt, pleaded guilty to boarding dogs at her home address without a licence and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.
The court heard a dog named Fig was in the Bliss’s care when boarding in the kennels at her home address in August 2022.
Cotswold District Council said Bliss failed to provide any monitoring of the dogs over a period of six hours during very hot temperatures.
Bliss failed to protect Fig and prevent unnecessary suffering caused by heatstroke – which caused the death of the dog later that day in the vet practice.
She was not licensed to provide kennel boarding for dogs at that time. Mrs Bliss had previously been licensed and despite taking on new bookings, had allowed the licence to lapse without renewing it.
Bliss pleaded guilty to both offences.
The court heard she has since closed the kennels.
Sentencing | fined £2,000 and ordered to pay a £400 victim surcharge.
CONVICTED (2022) | former Quorn huntsman John Oliver Finnegan known as Ollie Finnegan, born 13 August 1985, previously of the Quorn Hunt Kennels, Gaddesby Lane, Melton Mowbray LE14 2TQ but more recently of Kennel Lane, Northwich – for illegal hunting with dogs.
Ollie Finnegan was convicted of breaching the Hunting Act after dozens of incriminatory WhatsApp messages were found on his phone
Finnegan, who is now huntsman of the Cheshire Hunt based in Sandiway, Northwich, was seen fox hunting on 7 January 2022. He was caught during a joint meet near Hartpury between Leicestershire’s Quorn Hunt and the Ledbury Hunt, which is based in Gloucestershire.
The meet came less than a fortnight after Ledbury joint hunt master David Redvers said his hunt was committed to trail hunting, which is legal.
Finnegan is now a huntsman with the Cheshire Hunt.
Key evidence was found on Finnegan’s phone after it was seized by officers from Leicestershire Police.
WhatsApp messages on the day show communication about illegal fox-hunting with an unnamed huntsman.
He asked Finnegan: “How’d you get on at Ledbury today?”
Finnegan replies “Only found a brace [of foxes]. First one went to ground, The second went 5 fields to a real thick cover which we weren’t aloud in and had to stop [the hounds].”
The huntsman replies: “used to be full of them round there! Had my best days around there.”
On another occasion the Master says “How did this evening go?” to which Finnegan replied “Found 2 brace [foxes] seen another 2 brace, very busy all night. Hounds hunted well considering the heat.”
Dozens of messages and videos were found on Finnegan’s phone, but only a tiny minority were shared with the court.
Following the conviction, a spokesperson for the British Hound Sports Association (BHSA) said: “We can confirm that a current member of the BHSA has today pleaded guilty to illegal hunting on 7th January 2022, near Hartbury, Glos.
“This organisation does not condone illegal activity and the matter has been referred to the Hound Sports Regulatory Authority (HSRA) which is the regulatory body responsible for disciplinary matters.”
Finnegan with wife Rachel Finnegan, who hunts in her own right, and their two boys
Speaking about the case, Lynn Sawyer of Three Counties Hunt Saboteurs, said : “Three counties sabs are pleased that the Hunting Act has been enforced in this case.
“Along with Herefordshire hunt sabs we attended the joint Quorn/Ledbury meet to protect foxes and we will continue to sab fox hunts until they stop harming wildlife.”
The allegations related to an incident in Breedon on the Hill, North West Leicestershire, on February 4, 2020.
Both defendants pleaded not guilty and faced trial in August 2021.
Matcham and Finnegan pictured during their court appearance in August 2021
Shockingly they were found not guilty after the Crown Prosecution Service accepted the case had no reasonable prospect of conviction.
The Crown had claimed footage filmed by the League Against Cruel Sports showed ‘a proper fox hunt going back to the olden days’.
But the first witness in the case, the League’s staff member Roger Swaine, told the court on Tuesday that he could not see where Matcham was looking when a fox was seen to emerge from a covert.
Defence lawyer Stephen Welford then asked Mr Swaine: “It’s perfectly reasonable to suggest that hounds were in that bit of covert, they had found an artificial trail…and a fox popped out. That is one possibility, is it not?”
Mr Swaine answered: “Yes.”
Explaining the Crown’s decision to drop the case, before Finnegan and Matcham had given evidence, prosecutor Mark Fielding said: “The Crown Prosecution Service have a duty to review the prospects of success of a matter at all times, up to and including the end of the case.
“Suffice to say, having listened to Mr Swaine giving clearly honest and truthful evidence in cross-examination, for which he is to be commended, my impression, which I communicated to the reviewing lawyer, was that this case no longer had a reasonable prospect of success.”
Immediately after Mr Fielding’s comments, the chair of the three-strong magistrates’ bench entered not guilty verdicts on both defendants.
Martin Sims, director of investigations at the League Against Cruel Sports, said: “We’re understandably disappointed with this result but we stand by the evidence we presented, which clearly shows hounds hunting a fox.
“While there are questions that need to be answered about the prosecution’s approach, it’s yet further confirmation that the Hunting Act needs to be strengthened so that it does what it’s supposed to – preventing foxes being chased by hounds.”
He and co-accused Matthew Ramsden, 35, pleaded not guilty.
Prosecutor Natalie Cheeseman alleged the defendants allowed a pack of hounds to chase a fox in Brokenborough, Malmesbury, at about 8.30am on 13 September 2021.
She said the prime evidence, in the form of video footage, was provided by a member of Cirencester Illegal Hunt Watch.
Ms Cheeseman alleged that Matcham and Ramsden were “knowingly engaged in hunting a fox” and did nothing to stop the hounds from pursuing the fox.
She added: “No one appears to do anything to stop the hounds chasing fox”.
Daniel Gill, defending, said his clients both deny hunting whilst legally following a trail and that they “did everything they could” to stop the hounds from pursuing the fox.
The trial will be heard at Swindon Magistrates’ Court later in 2022, but legal advisor Juen Batchelor said a date cannot be fixed until expert witnesses have confirmed their availability.
Matcham, of Kennel Drive, Badminton, and Ramsden, of High Street, Badminton, were remanded on unconditional bail.
Update | August 2023
Finnegan, most recently employed by the Cheshire Hunt, was found guilty of two counts of illegal hunting. He was convicted in his absence after he failed to attend court for a third time.
Finnegan was fined the maximum amount – £1000 – for each of the two offenses and must pay court costs. He was also given a two-year Criminal Behaviour Order including one sanction stating that he cannot hunt with more than 10 hounds.
The Hunt Saboteurs report that Finnegan has now moved to Ireland where foxhunting is legal.
CONVICTED (2022) | Hunt master Daniel James Cherriman, born June 1985, of Eaton Mascott, Cross Houses, Shrewsbury SY5 6HF – failed to call off dogs when they “disturbed” a fox.
Daniel Cherriman
South Shropshire Hunt master and ex huntsman of the Pytchley Hunt Daniel Cherriman was in charge of a hunt on National Trust land in the Long Mynd area of Church Stretton when the dogs caught scent of an animal.
According to Cherriman’s legal representative, the fox was not killed,
The court heard that footage captured by witnesses showed Cherriman making noises to disturb foxes. He then did nothing as the hounds hunted.
As hunt master, Cherriman should have identified what was happening and taken measures to take the hounds off the scent. The court was told Cherriman was responsible for the hounds on that day, and he should have taken reasonable action.
Cherriman pleaded guilty to hunting a wild mammal with dogs, contrary to the Hunting Act 2004.
Stephen Belford, mitigating, said that Cherriman would likely “be subjected to adverse comments for weeks, months and probably years” from hunt saboteurs who would “rejoice” in his guilty plea.
“It’s not a case where there was a kill,” he said. “On this occasion a fox was disturbed.”
Oliver Beazley
The case had been due to go to trial in December 2022, with Cherriman’s “whipper-in” or assistant, Oliver Beazley, also due to appear in court. However, Cherriman told his legal representative he wanted to plead guilty at the beginning of October 2022. The case against Beazley was discontinued.
Cherriman is a self-employed father-of-three who rides as an amateur jockey in point to point races.
Sentencing | ordered to pay a total of £803 in fine, costs and surcharge.
