Three leading members of a Sussex hunt have been convicted of pursuing a fox illegally with hounds, in a case that will be seen a significant victory for animal rights activists.
The guilty verdicts at Haywards Heath magistrates court are a blow for the hunting community which is increasingly resentful of close scrutiny by monitors filming their pursuits.
Andrew Phillis, Neill Millard and Rachel Holdsworth, who are all members of the Crawley and Horsham Hunt, were convicted for breaching the hunting ban on different occasions last year.
Charges against a fourth member of the hunt were dropped two weeks ago during the lengthy trial. All three had denied the charges, saying they were out trail hunting — following an artificially laid scent – and did not plan to hunt or kill any foxes. They are expected to appeal against their convictions. Read more….