PRESCOTT PLEADS NOT GUILTY TO HARE COURSING CHARGE

Racing Post

SIR MARK PRESCOTT has entered not guilty pleas to charges which allege his involvement and attendance at two hare-coursing events earlier this year.

The pleas were entered on his behalf by solicitor Stephen Welford at the start of a private prosecution of the trainer by the International Fund for Animal Welfare at Scarborough Magistrates' Court.

Prescott, who did not attend the hearing on Friday, and celebrity chef Clarissa Dickson Wright each face four charges - two of hunting hares with dogs and attending a hare coursing event at Nunnington on March 2 and two similar alleged offences at Amotherby, near Malton, the following day.

The proceedings were adjourned until November 19 to coincide with the case management hearing into a CrownProsecution Service prosecution of five other defendants including former champion jumps trainer Peter Easterby who is accused of permitting land to be used for hare coursing and attending hare coursing.

John Weatherall, representing theIFAW, said the charity had begun a private prosecution because “the police investigation was delayed” but would continue its case if the CPS decided not to take any action against Prescott and Dickson Wright, according to a report in the Yorkshire Post.

“A number of potential offenders were not spoken to and the Fund was satisfied they had enough evidence against these two particular defendants to obtain a conviction,” he said.

“Since then they have been in contact with the CPS. It may be the CPS will decide to take these two defendants on so all the defendants are treated by the same body.”

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