FItzwIllIAm Hunt pAIr to stAnD trIAl

Two men have appeared in court charged with hunting offences after foxes were killed during the Fitzwilliam Hunt. George Adams (65) and John Mease (44) appeared at PeterboroughMagistrates’Courton Wednesday.

Both men are charged with hunting a fox with dogs on New Years’ Day this year, while Measealsofacesacount of causing unnecessary suffering to a fox, when a golden eagle killed the animal in November 2013.

Both men pleaded not guilty to the charges, and will stand trial later this year.

Sam Wooley, prosecuting, told the court: “These are two separate offences.

“The first offence took placeonJanuary1,2016, when the defendants were with the Fitzwilliam Hunt.

“It is said that the hunt used hounds to kill a fox. It is said the hounds were not called offquickly enough, and they killed the fox.

“The second offence relates to the use of a golden eagle by Mease. It is said the eagle killed the fox in an in- humane way.”

The court was told there would be two trials covering the matter - one for each offence. Thetrial involving both men will take place at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court on Monday, December 5.

The trial only involving Mease will take place at the same court on Thursday, December 8.

Both men were granted bail until the trial.

John Mease (left) and George Adams (right)