Hunt supporter charged with sex offences against two women

Andrew Callwood is the whipper-in for the Cheshire Forest Hunt

Sex assault case to be heard in June

Andrew Callwood

AN Ollerton man accused of sex offences against two women will appear at Chester Crown Court this summer.

Andrew James Callwood, 49, of Manor Farm, Seven Sisters Lane, appeared at Chester Crown on Monday for a preliminary hearing.

He faces seven charges, five of beating and two of sexually assaulting women, who can’t be named for legal reasons.

He will appear at Chester Crown Court again on June 24 for a plea and case management hearing.

http://www.knutsfordguardian.co.uk/news/10373855.Sex_assault_case_to_be_heard_in_June/

Huntsman of Crawley & Horsham fox hunt admits Criminal Damage

Hunt saboteurs Association Press Release. 11th April 2013

On the 3rd of November 2012 the huntsman of the financially troubled Crawley & Horsham fox hunt, Nick Bycroft, launched an unprovoked attack on a member of the Hunt Saboteurs Associations (HSA) Land Rover. In the video Hunts Bycroft is seen, riding at speed down School Lane, near Shipley, Sussex in a reckless manner, with no care for the safety of other road users or his horse he forces his horse past the moving vehicle swearing repeatedly. Turning his horse he comes back to the now stationary vehicle and makes tow attempts to smash the driver’s side window, in an attempt to hit the driver. In the process he smashes the vehicle wing mirror.

Police at the scene made no arrest but Bycroft was latter summoned attend a police station where he admitted Public order offences (swearing) and Criminal damage. He was fined £150, none of which will be returned to the owner of the vehicle.

Lee Moon, press officer of the HSA stated:

“Once more we have the Crawley & Horsham hunt found guilty of criminal activity. This time it is the paid huntsman who in a fury at just seeing people opposing his hunt launches a furious and unprovoked attack. The punishment is paltry and we can only hope that any future offences by this hunt are treated in a more serious fashion.”

The video of the attack can be viewed here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6HqpvV12dY

Spurned huntsman Brian Fraser tried to kill horsewoman outside her home

Brian Fraser accused of trying to kill former lover, 54
Court told he hid in bushes outside her farmhouse before shooting her
63-year-old denies attempted murder but admitted possessing a firearm without a licence

By Claire Ellicott

31 January 2013

A marrried master of fox hounds shot his ex-lover after she rejected his bid to rekindle their romance, a court heard yesterday.

Brian Fraser is accused of attempting to murder showjumper Louise Leggatt ‘in a fit of pique’ after she declined to let him watch a horse race with her on television at her house.

Days later, Miss Leggatt, 54, was blasted by a shotgun as she went to tend to her horses.

Two months earlier, an arson attack had gutted her detached home in the exclusive Kent village of Benenden, forcing her to rent another property next door.

The divorced mother of two had a five-year affair with Fraser after they met through the Ashford Valley Hunt in Kent in 2006, Maidstone Crown Court heard.

They split up in October 2011 when Fraser, 64, went back to live with his wife in Shadoxhurst near Ashford.

But last year he bought Valentine’s Day flowers for Miss Leggatt, the court heard.

Then a few days before the shooting last March he brought her a box of chocolates when he arrived to help her move some boxes.

Ian Acheson, prosecuting, said: ‘He tried to give her a cuddle or kiss. She did not reciprocate. They went back to her home where she made him coffee and they chatted.

‘These people are fond of horses and members of the hunt and it was the Cheltenham Festival.

‘Louise said that as she was working, she would record the Gold Cup at which Fraser suggested that he come round and they watch it together over a Chinese. When she declined that suggestion, he was miffed and made a jibe or barbed comment as he was leaving.’

Six minutes before leaving his house on the night of the shooting, the court heard, Fraser sent Miss Leggatt a text message, angrily telling her not to ‘make any excuses’ about not watching the Gold Cup the following day with him.

Denial: Fraser, denies attempting to murder Ms Leggatt but has admitted possessing a firearm without a firearms licence between March 14 and 17

Mr Acheson said: ‘In a fit of pique, and with the Gold Cup reunion dragged from under his feet, he sent a text message before trying to kill her, a woman who was causing him pain and rage.’

The court heard that the master of fox hounds lied to police twice, having initially denied owning a shotgun and that he had left his house on the night of the shooting.

But a shotgun and cartridges found at his farm were compatible with the weapon with which Miss Leggatt was shot, and Fraser was captured on his own CCTV leaving his home around the time of the shooting, the court heard.

Fraser denies attempting to murder Miss Leggatt on March 15, 2012. She was left with fragments of shot in her bowel and pelvis, but has made a good recovery.

Mr Acheson told the court that Miss Leggatt was at her house that night in Benenden, which is home to the public school of the same name where Princess Anne was educated.

He said: ‘At about 9.30pm she was going to go outside to tend to her horses. She emerged and turned on the patio lights. Her dog was barking and had clearly seen something. His hackles were up. She shone a torch but before she could see or did see anything, she screamed as she realised she’d been shot.’

Initially, Miss Leggatt accused her ex-husband Philip Gorringe, as she blamed him for the arson attack. He was arrested, but Fraser was later arrested and charged. The trial continues.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2270817/Spurned-huntsman-Brian-Fraser-tried-kill-horsewoman-outside-home-ended-affair.html

Ledbury fox killers get a return visit

Report from Bristol Hunt Sab – (well done from all up north)

We rarely get to go out sabbing a mid-week hunt but today we managed to get a few of us together and met up with sabs from various groups from all over the country to pay a visit to The Ledbury Hunt.

We got to the meet before the hunt so managed to be in a good position when the hunt left at 12pm. Soon enough we caught up with them and noticed a supporter alerting the hunt that a fox had just passed him. We leapt into action as the hounds were now well onto the fox’s scent. By using whips and rating the hounds we stopped them in their pursuit and gave the fox some time to get away. Not happy with the fact that we intervened, riders started trying to ride down sabs and attempted to slow us up whilst the hunt took off with the hounds after the fox. Not to be deterred by bully-boy tactics we made our way to our vehicle to catch up with the hunt.

As we were driving up an A road near where we suspected the hunt to be a fox bolted across the road in front of us. We got out and masked the hedge rows on either side of the road with citronella sprays and spread out to stop the hounds crossing the road. Within minutes the hounds had picked up on the path of the fox but we stopped them again and they never made it fully across the road which was a relief. The scum didn’t seem to care that their hounds were all over the busy road (great trail laying, eh?!) and they kept them in the area for a while but they failed to pick up another scent.

We kept on the hunts heels for the rest of the day despite massive amounts of support and ‘lads’ arriving and throwing their weight around and giving us constant abuse and shoves. Whatever! We left knowing that we came out on top after watching the hunt go back to the meet and pack up at 4.30.

https://network23.org/bristolhuntsabs/2013/01/04/ledbury-fox-killers-get-a-return-visit/

Arrest following attack on anti-hunt group

Arrest following attack on anti-hunt group Arrest following attack on anti-hunt group

A man has been arrested following an attack on an anti-foxhunting group as they monitored a Boxing Day meet.

A member of the Hunt Saboteurs Association has alleged to police he had a brick thrown at the window of his car, had his iPad and keys stolen and was assaulted with sticks as he monitored the Southdown and Eridge Fox Hunt in Plumpton on Boxing Day.

Sussex Police said a 23-year-old local man was arrested for criminal damage, assault and theft and bailed until January 30 while the investigation continued.

A spokesman from the Hunt Saboteurs Association said: “About seven masked men came running towards our parked 4×4. “One of our members locked himself inside the car for protection. “The windscreen was smashed, another man was trying to smash the driver’s door and a third came through the rear door.

“As well as the windscreen both doors on the driver’s side have been severely damaged and they stole not only the keys to the vehicle but also an iPad.”

A spokesman from Sussex Police said: “Police are investigating a report of an attack on a man monitoring the Southdown and Eridge Hunt on Boxing Day.

“The man says he was in his Landrover at Plumpton on Wednesday morning when he was attacked by a number of men who had approached on quad bikes.

“He said he was hit with sticks, suffering a cut to his hand and had his iPad and ignition keys taken.

“A 23-year-old local man was arrested for criminal damage, assault and theft and bailed until January 30 for further inquiries.”

In October, members of the Hunt Saboteurs Association said they were attacked by masked men while they monitored a meeting in Firle, near Lewes.

On that occasion, a 28-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of assault. He was bailed until December 3 but police have since decided that no further action will be taken against him.

The Southdown and Eridge Hunt Secretary, Mrs D Grantham, refused to comment.

Anyone who has information about the Boxing Day incident is urged to contact police on 101 quoting serial 0395 26/12 or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/10133488.Arrest_following_attack_on_anti_hunt_group/

Vicious attack on Hunt Saboteur on Foxhunt’s most prestigious Day

Hunt Saboteurs Association Press Release.
26th December 2012

A hunt saboteur has been viciously beaten by supporters of the South Down and Eridge Foxhunt during their prestigious Boxing Day meet at the White Heart pub in Lewes, East Sussex. The saboteur was on his own in a vehicle when a hunt supporter got in through an unlocked rear door. A group of seven men then attacked him with walking sticks and he was forced to curl up to protect himself. He suffered severe injuries to his hands which he had used to cover his head. The attackers also stole an ipad, the vehicles keys and caused damage to the vehicle, including smashing the windscreen. One man has been arrested following the incident.

Lee Moon, spokesperson for the Hunt Saboteurs Association, stated: “Boxing Day is the most prestigious, high profile day in the hunting calendar, the day when the national press are watching them and they are on their best behaviour. Yet still their violent supporters cannot control themselves and viciously attack those who peacefully oppose them. We are pleased the police have acted so promptly and are hopeful that more arrests will follow.”
ENDS

Note to Editors
For photos of the smashed windscreen please see:
http://www.huntsabs.org.uk

Previous incidents involving the South Down and Eridge can be seen here:

• http://hsa.enviroweb.org/index.php/news/press-releases/377-hunt-saboteurs-association-press-release-october-27th-2012
• http://hsa.enviroweb.org/index.php/news/press-releases/324-violence-and-intimidation-in-a-national-park
• http://hsa.enviroweb.org/index.php/news/press-releases/321-hunt-saboteurs-association-press-release-13th-of-november-2011-
• http://hsa.enviroweb.org/index.php/news/latest/198-hsa-news-release-31st-october-2009

http://hsa.enviroweb.org/index.php/news/press-releases/392-vicious-attack-on-hunt-saboteur-on-foxhunts-most-prestigious-day

Anne the elephant circus abuse: Bobby Roberts guilty

Bobby Roberts was found guilty of causing suffering to Anne the elephant

A circus owner has been found guilty of three counts of causing unnecessary suffering to a performing elephant.

Bobby Roberts, 69, was given a three-year conditional discharge for mistreating 58-year-old elephant Anne.

Roberts was also convicted of failing to prevent groom Nicolai Nitu, who is believed to have returned to Romania, from repeatedly beating the animal.

His wife Moira, 75, was found not guilty of the same charges at Northampton Crown Court.

The court had been shown secretly-filmed footage of the animal being struck with a pitchfork by a groom.

The video was recorded by welfare group Animal Defenders International (ADI) between 21 January and 15 February 2011.

It showed the Asian elephant being kicked and struck with a pitchfork several times by Nitu at the Bobby Roberts’ Super Circus’ winter quarters in Polebrook, Northamptonshire.

Legs buckled

Roberts, from Oundle, Northamptonshire, told the court he would never have condoned the behaviour of Nitu.

He said: “I can’t tell you what I would have done. The police would have been involved.

“Still now when I think about it, it goes through me, I just can’t believe it.”

Roberts also failed to ensure the elephant’s needs were met by not giving her medication for her arthritis.

In the footage, the elderly animal could be seen chained by one foot and one hind leg in a barn.

The legs of the elephant could also be seen to buckle several times.

Roberts claimed he was unaware Anne had been constantly chained and the groom had not followed his instructions.

He admitted the elephant would be chained up at times but said his instructions were that she be let loose behind an electric fence in a cordoned-off area.

But the court rejected his claims and found him guilty of all charges.

‘Lost everything’

District Judge David Chinery told Roberts he accepted Anne’s treatment did not represent his normal level of care for animals under his control.

“You are a man who has not previously been convicted of any offence and it is to your credit that you have cared for and managed animals for the greater part of your 70 years without criticism from any quarter,” he said.

He said Roberts’ offences had been at the lower end of the scale, and he had not personally been cruel to the elephant.

The judge said he regarded the chaining of Anne as serious, but said the real cruelty had been inflicted by the groom.

He did not impose a fine or order Roberts to pay costs.

Explaining his sentence, he said Roberts had an exemplary record of animal husbandry, had suffered enough punishment since his offences came to light, and was unlikely to appear in court again.

“As a result of what has happened your business is effectively at an end. You have lost everything which you have built up over the last five decades. I am told that you have no funds at all,” he said.

The judge said it would be “disproportionate” to ban Roberts from keeping animals.

Anne the elephant has been living at Longleat Safari Park in Wiltshire since April 2011.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-20464605

Hunt supporter pleads guilty to saboteur assault

Hunt saboteurs Association Press Release October 24th 2012

Paul Standen, a supporter of the Ross Harriers Hunt

Paul Standen, a supporter of the Ross Harriers Hunt, pleaded guilty today to assaulting two hunt saboteurs. Standen, who was on trial at Hereford Magistrates Court, had to pay a fine, costs and compensation.

The incident occurred in March this year when the Ross Harriers met at Kilpeck near Hereford. Standen drove his vehicle at a group of saboteurs before jumping out and violently pushing a female out of the way before punching another member of the group in the face. Unfortunately for him the whole attack was filmed and he was arrested.

Lee Peters, Master of the hunt, is also in court next month for racially abusing a hunt saboteur.

Lee Moon, spokesperson for the Hunt Saboteurs Association, stated: “It is always a pleasure to see justice done, however we wish Mr. Standen had done the honourable thing and pleaded guilty much earlier in the proceedings and saved the tax payer a great deal of money. We look forward to a similar result next month when Mr. Peters is in court and we hope the Ross Harriers will start to realise they are not above the law.”

http://hsa.enviroweb.org/index.php/news/press-releases/376-hunt-saboteurs-association-press-release-october-24th-2012

Hunt supporter Arrested after assault on Hunt Saboteurs

Hunt saboteurs Association Press Release October 27th 2012

The Southdown and Eridge fox hunt held its opening meet of the season at Firle, near Lewes east Sussex, today. It was clear from the start that they intend to carry on their practice of flaunting the hunting ban and launching organised attacks against any who oppose them.

Slightly east of the meet the huntsman put up a fox and was encouraging the hounds onto the scent. Before sabs were able to intervene they were subject to an unprovoked attacked by around 10 hunt supporters, the very same men who had been the perpetrators of similar attacks in the past two seasons. The attack left three hunt saboteurs with head wounds and severe bruising which resulted in hospitalisation and stiches. Their attackers also stole a video camera and glasses. Following these attacks the sabs were ridden at by members of the hunt, driven at by a car follower and then assaulted by the ‘hunt stewards’ while attempting to seek medical treatment. The police were called but said they could not take any action until statements had been taken.

The remaining sabs soon located the hunt on the South Downs, a national park, with the huntsman off his horse clearly hunting. Before video evidence could be gathered they were surrounded by four quad bikes carrying the same men who had carried out the earlier assault, and attacked again. The police were once again called and eventually arrested one hunt supporter.

Lee Moon, spokesperson for the Hunt Saboteurs Association, stated: “We are pleased that the police eventually arrested one hunt supporter however they should have acted decisively much earlier in the day. The South Down and Eridge should have realised by now that violence doesn’t deter our members and in fact only makes them more determined to thwart their illegal activities.”

http://hsa.enviroweb.org/index.php/news/press-releases/377-hunt-saboteurs-association-press-release-october-27th-2012

Hunt saboteurs: ‘Masked men attacked us’

An anti-foxhunting group claims its members were attacked by masked men for trying to spot animal cruelty.

Police were called to clashes at the Southdown and Eridge Fox Hunt in Firle, near Lewes, on Saturday in which a number of people were hurt.

One man was arrested on suspicion of assault. The Hunt Saboteurs Association said three of its supporters had to go to hospital to be treated for head wounds.

It also claimed its video cameras and glasses had been stolen in what it described as an unprovoked attack. The group monitors fox hunts in the South East to ensure hunters are abiding by the Hunting Act 2004 – legislation that outlaws the hunting of foxes with dogs.

A spokesman for the association said: “Three of our members who were filming the hunt were suddenly confronted and then assaulted by between eight to 10 men, some of whom were masked.

“All three people were punched to the ground where the men proceeded to kick and beat them.”

Matt Fincham, the head of media relations for the Countryside Alliance, said the people involved in the clash had no association with the hunt.

Sussex Police confirmed they had arrested a 28-year-old man on suspicion of assault.

A force spokesman said: “The man, from Haywards Heath, was arrested around 4pm after an allegation of assault was made following confrontations between hunt protestors and members of the Southdown and Eridge Hunt.

“Earlier in the day, police had been called to Charleston where two people were treated for injuries by ambulance personnel.”

The 28-year-old was questioned before being released on bail until December 3.

http://www.theargus.co.uk/news/10014758._/