Hunt led by Diana’s sister faces six-figure damages claim
A HUNT led by the sister of Diana, Princess of Wales is facing a six-figure claim for damages after one of its staff assaulted a legal observer, leaving him with a broken neck.
Darryl Cunnington, 60, suffered a fractured vertebra after being pushed down a steep slope while monitoring the activities of the Belvoir Hunt.
George Grant, 58, the kennel man, and his son Thomas, 26, were sentenced to 13 months in jail, suspended for two years, and ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work after pleading guilty to assault causing grievous bodily harm, actual bodily harm, theft and criminal damage to property.
At the trial, Lady Sarah McCorquodale, the Princess’s eldest sister, vouched for Grant, telling the judge that he would lose his home and job if he was jailed.
Lady McCorquodale, , joint master of the Belvoir Hunt, said id Grant’s actions had been “out of character” and that she had “never seen him lose his temper er like that.” She told Leicester cester Crown Court: “We’ve ve had contact on a regular basis sis … he has always been courteous, ous, polite, hard working and d a good communicator. I’ve seen een him under pressure [but] ut] I’ve no idea what happpened on this occasion.” .”
But Mr Cunnington, n, an investigator with the e
League Against Cruel l
Sports, and his colleague Roger Swaine, 47, are suing the hunt for £100,000 in damages, saying it was “vicariously liable” for its employee’s actions. Mr Cunnington and Mr Swaine were attacked after four men in balaclavas were called by Grant and his son during a hunt on March 12 2016. The pair were observing from a bridleway near Stathern, Leics, to ensure it was taking place in a lawful manner.
Leicester Crown Court heard in June 2018 that during a confrontation with Mr Cunnington and Mr Swain, Grant told his son: “Go and get the boys.”
His son returned with four “masked men”. In the ensuing melee, Mr Cunnington was pushed down a 14ft slope and kicked as he lay on the ground.
Mr Swain was pushed down a 6ft slope. His camera was stolen and the assailants tried ton’s camera.
A writ now lodged with the High Court claims Grant and his son, a volunteer with the hunt, refused to name the men, who have never been traced.
The two men say the Belvoir Hunt is vicariously liable for the attack carried out by Grant and his son, and that they are entitled to aggravated damages.
There is no suggestion that the Belvoir was illegally hunting at the time.
The hunt denies it was responsible to steal Mr Cunningfor the actions of Grant or his son and denies “aiding and abetting the assault and harassment”.
In its defence statement it said: “George Grant was not acting in the course of his employment, nor was such behaviour remotely connected with the work which he was required to perform.
“Quite the contrary was the case: he would have been acting in complete disregard of the specific instructions with which he had been issued.”