Middleton Hunt members admit illegal fox hunting

MIDDLETON HUNT MEMBERS ADMIT ILLEGAL FOX HUNTING

Four members of the Middleton Hunt, a registered hunt based at Malton, North Yorkshire, today pleaded guilty to illegally hunting a fox in December 2012 following footage obtained by the League Against Cruel Sports during a hunt meet at Full Sutton, East Yorkshire.

Huntsman and joint master Tom Holt, whipper-in Shaun Marles, terrierman Lee Martin and amateur terrierman Brian Cuthbertson all pleaded guilty in respect of Section 1 of the Hunting Act 2004 — the offence of hunting a wild mammal with a dog.

Holt was fined £200 and ordered to pay a £20 victim surcharge and £85 costs; Marles was fined £100 and ordered to pay a £20 victim surcharge and £85 costs; Martin was fined £100 and ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £20 and £85 costs; and Cuthbertson was given a 12 month conditional discharge and ordered to pay a £15 victim surcharge and £85 costs.

The case concerned an incident where a fox had taken refuge in a stack of hay bales.

The animal was trapped in the bales for over 25 minutes while terriers were used to flush out the fox into the open.

Eventually, the fox attempted to escape but was quickly brought down and torn apart by the waiting pack of hounds.

The huntsman was filmed using his hunting horn to blow the traditional call for a kill.

He then picked up the fox carcass and held it so the hounds could 'rag' it.

Paul Tillsley, Head of Investigations at the League, said: “Whilst we’re pleased with the result and the admission of guilt from the hunt staff concerned, we doubt it will change their behaviour… We know many hunts break the law regularly, which is why we have investigators in the field to capture illegal activity and work with authorities to bring prosecutions.

The successful outcome of this case demonstrates how the Hunting Act 2004 can work when enforced.”