Hunt sabs convicted over their threatening behaviour at event

TEEN AMONG SPECTATORS MENACED

FIVE hunt saboteurs have been convicted of threatening behaviour at an event held in Rutland earlier this year.

A 15-year-old girl was among several spectators who were reportedly menaced by the defendants as they tried to disrupt an event held outside Oakham, near Rutland Water, in January.

The men, who are all from the Greater Manchester area, went on trial at Leicester Magistrates’ Court last week.

They were each charged with using “threatening, abusive and insulting words and behaviour” which was likely to cause their victims “harassment, alarm and distress”. The incident was said to have happened in the town’s Ashwell Road, between midday and 1pm, on Saturday, January 29.

According to Leicestershire Police, three people – two men aged 61 and 52 and a 15-year-old girl – who were watching a nearby hunt reported being targeted by a group of men.

A force spokesman said: “As a result of initial inquiries, five men from Greater Manchester were located nearby and arrested in connection with the incident.”

The defendants included Paul Allman, 47, of East Street in Edgeley,

Stockport; Matthew Slater, 39, of Woodfield Road in Altrincham, and Charley Waring, 25, of East Street, in Edgeley, Stockport.

They were joined in the dock by Cameron Allman, 21, of Dorland Grove in Heaviley, Stockport, and Reuben Waterhouse, 21, of Victoria Road in Offerton, Stockport.

All five of the accused denied committing the offences.

A jury, however, returned guilty verdicts on all counts on Friday, July 29 after hearing three days of evidence.

The HM Courts and Tribunals service also confirmed that all five men were granted conditional bail by the court.

A spokesman said that pre-sentence reports would be completed in each case ahead of a sentencing hearing scheduled for the same court on Monday, September 5.

Speaking at the end of the trial, Polly Portwin, director of the Countryside Alliance group’s Campaign for Hunting, said: “Our rural communities should not have to suffer at the hands of violent criminals, simply for enjoying a day out in the countryside, following hounds. We welcome this guilty verdict and await the sentencing.”

The controversial pursuit of a fox using hounds and horses was banned by the 2004 Hunting Act.

Since then, mounted riders are allowed to follow the hounds as they pursue a laid scent trail as an alternative to hunting a live fox.

The Mercury has contacted Leicestershire Police for a comment on the case.