HUNTSMAN TO APPEAL AGAINST CONVICTION

Western Morning News

A westcountry huntsman who is the only person in the country to have been found guilty of hunting illegally has lodged an appeal against the conviction. Solicitors acting for Tony Wright yesterday confirmed papers had been filed to Exeter Crown Court.

Mr Wright, huntsman with the Exmoor Foxhounds, believes he was acting within the law when he was filmed chasing two foxes with two hounds.

But this month, a district judge sitting in Barnstaple Magistrates Court ordered him to pay a £500 fine and £250 in costs after the League Against Cruel Sports brought a £65,000 private prosecution.

Mr Wright said he believed he was operating under an exemption, with two dogs and a marksman. The exception means the fox must be shot as soon as possible after it is flushed and the hounds must be under close control. The judge ruled that Mr Wright's activity was not in line with that legislation.

Mr Wright, 52, from Simonsbath, near Minehead in Somerset, said he was "totally confident" that the decision would be overturned.

"I wasn't intending to do anything wrong and I really did think we were acting within the law as it was written down," he said.

"We had two hounds out and we were flushing foxes and a fox was shot. What we did on the day didn't compare with hunting before the ban in any way, shape or form. If I was out to flout the law, I would've just gone hunting instead of all that piddling about. It's a very difficult piece of legislation to understand."

The Countryside Alliance has pledged to support Mr Wright throughout his appeal, although it is understood the cost will be paid for by insurance.

A spokesman said: "It was clear from the evidence that Tony Wright thought he was complying with the exemption within the Hunting Act. He had a marksman and two hounds and he shot the fox - what more could he have done?

"As we are looking towards the new hunting season, the hunting community has every intention of complying with the Hunting Act, as Tony Wright believed he was doing. We have a good relationship with the law, and we will try to make the best of the muddle that the Hunting Act has presented us with."

The League Against Cruel Sports has pledged to defend the appeal, and it is understood the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) will take over the case.

However, a spokesman said it could afford to proceed on their own if need be. "An important principle of law has been established and we would not be happy for that to fall by the way-side," he said.

"We are very confident that the conviction will be upheld. We think that the breach in the law was very clear, and the judge was very clear in his agreement with that view."

A plea and directions hearing is expected to be held within two months.

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