Hankinson successfully appeals conviction for encouraging illegal hunting

Mark Hankinson, the former director of the Masters of Foxhounds Association, had his conviction for encouraging illegal hunting overturned on appeal on Wednesday, 20^th July.

Following the judgment heard at Southwark Crown Court on Wednesday morning, the news was announced to thousands of hunt supporters who had congregated at the East of England Showground for the annual Festival of Hunting where the Countryside Alliance was a key sponsor.

Tim Bonner, who was attending the celebration of hounds reacted to the news: "Mark Hankinson's successful appeal raises big questions about the knee jerk reaction to the original conviction. Some institutional landowners banned legal trail hunts and the police and CPS have brought a spate of prosecutions against hunts, many of which have already failed.

"Trail hunting is a legitimate activity carried out by hundreds of hunts across the country. As this successful appeal shows, the police, public and politicians need to be extremely careful about believing spurious allegations made by prejudiced anti-hunt activists."

He continued: "The National Trust made a decision to ban lawful trail hunting activites in the wake of Mark's conviction which has now been overturned. It would be entirely unreasonable if the Trust were not to review that decision. The National Trust claims to be 'for everyone, forever' and so it must now show that it is for rural people too."

A former master and huntsman, Mark Hankinson was convicted in October 2021 in relation to comments he made on an online webinar about dealing with anti-hunt activists.

Following the news of his successful appeal, Mark attended the Festival of Hunting where hunts from all across the country were competing in the prestigious Peterborough Royal Foxhound Show. Spectators witnessed the Heythrop Hunt securing both the doghound and bitch hound championships on a successful day for the pack.