DANIEL CHERRIMAN OF CROSS HOUSES CAUGHT HUNTING FOXES ON NATIONAL TRUST LAND IN CHURCH STRETTON

Daniel Cherriman, a hunt master from Cross Houses, Shrewsbury, was found guilty in a court of law for his role in a fox hunting incident that took place on land managed by the National Trust in the Long Mynd area of Church Stretton. The incident occurred during a hunt where Cherriman was in charge, and it was alleged that his dogs caught the scent of a fox, leading to a series of events that resulted in a breach of the Hunting Act 2004.

According to court records, Cherriman was responsible for overseeing the hunt on that day. Witness footage presented during the trial showed Cherriman making noises intended to disturb foxes, which was seen as an attempt to provoke or manipulate the hounds. Despite this, he failed to intervene when the dogs began hunting the fox, a clear violation of the legal responsibilities expected of a hunt master.

Legal representatives for Cherriman argued that no fox was killed during the incident, emphasizing that the animal was merely disturbed. Nonetheless, the court found sufficient evidence to convict him of hunting a wild mammal with dogs, a charge that directly contravenes the provisions of the Hunting Act 2004.

During the proceedings, Stephen Belford, representing Cherriman, highlighted that his client would likely face ongoing hostility from hunt saboteurs, who would probably rejoice in his guilty plea and subject him to adverse comments for an extended period. Belford clarified that there was no killing involved in this case, only disturbance of the fox.

Initially, the case was scheduled for trial in December 2022, with Cherriman’s assistant, Oliver Beazley, also due to appear in court. However, Cherriman decided to plead guilty at the beginning of October 2022, leading to the discontinuation of the case against Beazley.

Cherriman, a self-employed individual and father of three, is also known for participating as an amateur jockey in point-to-point races. As part of his sentencing, he was ordered to pay a total of £803, which covered fines, costs, and a surcharge. The case has drawn attention to ongoing issues surrounding illegal hunting activities and the enforcement of wildlife protection laws in the Shropshire area.