Master of hunt is acquitted on appeal

Kim Richardson, a joint-master of the Crawley & Horsham Hunt was acquitted today in Lewes Crown Court following a conviction of an offence under Section 4a of the Public Order Act 1986.

Representing Richardson in court today, Peter Glenser QC commented: "Kim should never have been charged in the first place yet alone had to go as far as Crown Court on appeal, however it is of course brilliant news." Richardson's solicitor Tim Ryan added: "This case should never have gone to court."

Richardson, who was "delighted" at the outcome, was originally found guilty at Horsham Magistrates Court in October 2017 and fined a total of £3,255. This was in relation to an incident involving hunt saboteur Raoul D'Monte that took place in February 2017.

Following judge Antony Chinn QC's verdict, Tim Easby, director of the Masters of Foxhounds Association said: "We are absolutely thrilled at the outcome but this should never have got to this stage and it has understandably put a lot of unnecessary strain on Kim and his family."

Countryside Alliance's Head of Hunting, Polly Portwin commented: "This case should never have gone this far and is another example of thousands of pounds being wasted in court and police time.

"The police and CPS need to consider very carefully any 'evidence' supplied by anti-hunting activists who have a vested interest in vilifying members of the hunting community."