CONVICTED (2022) | John Bennet Wright, born 25 March 1989, of 17 Viking Crescent, Houston, Johnstone PA6 8LQ – battered a disabled foxhunt protestor.

Wright, who is associated with the Lanarkshire & Renfrewshire (L&R) Hunt, was caught on camera violently pulling Grant Sloan, who uses aids to walk, out of his vehicle and repeatedly kicking him.

The hunt thug lashed out when Mr Sloan was watching L&R hunt in Bridge of Weir in October 2020.

Mr Sloan was able to record the brutal attack on his phone and the footage shows Wright kicking him on the chest.

Prosecutor Amber Feeney told the court: “Around 3.30pm, Mr Sloan was in Bridge of Weir due to a fox hunt taking place and was parked at the side of the road in his vehicle alone.

“A short time later, three males approached, with one of them being the accused.

“One of the unknown males shouted at Mr Sloan to leave and he attempted to explain he was there not to cause any issue.

“At this point, the accused and another male opened the car door and pulled him out of the vehicle.

“Mr Sloan started to record this and the accused started to repeatedly kick Mr Sloan.

“Mr Sloan captured the accused kick him on the chest and the accused left with the two males. Police were contacted.

“Officers attended and system checks in relation to fox hunt nominals were carried out which identified the accused as the man in Mr Sloan’s video.”

Ms Feeney told the court that Mr Sloan was against fox hunting and was parked at the side of the road to observe if anything “untoward” took place, and it appeared that Wright was a “fan” of fox-hunting.

Defence agent Craig Broadley told the court Wright, who works for a local landscaping company “accepts” his behaviour.

Broadley added: “He doesn’t think he kicked the man particularly hard but he understands that doesn’t make a difference.

“He had been drinking with a friend fishing in the local area and when he was walking home he met the group.

“He does accept his actions and acting aggressively and that his behaviour was unacceptable.”

Sentencing Wright, Sheriff Eoin McGinty told him : “This was a particularly frightening incident for Mr Sloan as he was surrounded by a mob and manhandled from his car and thereafter you kicked him on the chest.”

The sentence was strongly welcomed by the Glasgow Hunt Sabs group – a group dedicated to protecting wild animals from hunters that Mr Sloan is a part of.

A spokesperson for the group told national newspaper the Express: “We are pleased with this outcome.

“John Wright is guilty of attacking not only a lone, but also disabled member of our group, who was dragged from his car as he monitored illegal hunting at the Lanarkshire & Renfrewshire Foxhounds.

“The brave actions of our sab, who managed to film part of the incident, certainly helped with the verdict.

“On the day in question, members of our group were subjected to violent threats constantly from hunt staff looking for fights. Before the attack took place, another of our vehicles had its tyres slashed.”

Glasgow Hunt Sabs continuously call for stronger fox-hunting laws to be introduced by the Scottish Government, the spokesperson added: “Those associated with the Lanarkshire & Renfrewshire Foxhounds continuously demonstrate why stronger, more meaningful fox hunting laws are needed.

“But until the Scottish Government brings its laws into line, we at Glasgow Hunt Sabs will not be deterred by cowardly acts of violence, and will continue to protect wildlife from the immeasurable cruelty in our countryside.”

Sentencing | 12-month supervision order with180 hours of unpaid work; £500 compensation to victim.

Daily Record
Glasgow Hunt Sabs’ FB post 23 August 2022

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Additional Information

In March 2022 Wright was given a community sentence, fine and driving ban after being caught driving while six times over the legal limit of alcohol. He was also in possession of a locking knife without an excuse. Wright’s lawyer told the court how there is a “background of alcohol misuse and addition” adding that his client is attending Alcoholics Anonymous.

Oban Times (Pressreader link)