Father and son broke fox hunting laws

● Men say they plan to appeal against first successful prosecution in Scotland

Two men have been convicted of breaching fox hunting laws, in the first successful prosecution of its kind in Scotland.

Father and son John Clive Richardson, 67, and Johnathan Riley, 24, from the Borders, both denied deliberately hunting a wild mammal on land surrounding Townfoothill near Jedburgh on 18 February last year.

The men, from Abbotrule, Bonchester Bridge, were found guilty after a trial at Selkirk Sheriff Court. Video evidence showed the pair breaching the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002.

Their defence lawyer, David Mckie, said the men had worked within the terms of the legislation by using hounds to flush out a fox from cover to waiting guns.

But fiscal depute Fiona Caldwell argued the two men had clearly broken the law. She said evidence had shown it had been a “deliberate course of acts culminating with those responsible for the hunt, hunting the fox with dogs”.

Robbie Marsland, director of campaign group the League Against Cruel Sports Scotland, welcomed the ruling.

He said: “Today’s guilty verdict is the first successful prosecution for mounted fox hunting in Scotland and while we’re delighted with the outcome and our role in this, we remain of the view that the law needs strengthened.”

The Countryside Alliance expressed disappointment at the conviction. Director Jamie Stewart said: “Scottish mounted packs not only adhere to the law but also work under an enhanced protocol.”

He said the organisation was disappointed with the verdict but would await the full transcript of the judgment before making further comment

PC Andrew Loughlin, wildlife crime officer for the Scottish Borders, said: “Wildlife crime is a priority for Police Scotland and we will always take action against those who breach wildlife laws.

The two men now plan to appeal.