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.
The fox eventually attempted to escape but was soon brought down and torn apart by the waiting pack of hounds.
Holt was filmed using his hunting horn to call for the kill, then held the fox carcass so the hounds could attack and 'rag' it.
Paul Tillsley, Head of Investigations at the League, expressed satisfaction with the guilt admissions but doubts about behavior change, emphasizing that many hunts still break the law.
The successful prosecution showcased that the Hunting Act 2004 can effectively be enforced when law is applied.
Court Outcome
Conviction and Sentencing Details
Sentenced
Detected legal outcome
ed 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 s
Fine or payment
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
Discharge or deferred sentence
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
