produced by Alice Barnard Countryside Alliance
I am very glad to hear that Fernie huntsman Derek Hopkins and countryman Kevin Allen will be appealing their convictions under the Hunting Act and Badgers Act following the lengthy trial that ended earlier this month. It is worth remembering that the only other contested Hunting Act case involving a foxhound pack saw Tony Wright convicted in the Magistrates' Court and that verdict was emphatically overturned in the Crown Court. The Badgers Act is one of the few pieces of legislation that can rival the Hunting Act for complication and opaqueness so it should be no surprise that the courts can become confused, especially when the trial process is not properly managed and becomes convoluted with irrelevant evidence.
This case ended up taking seven days instead of the scheduled four and many critical questions about the intent of the defendants and the 'current use' of the alleged badger sett were not even addressed when the magistrates ruled. Derek and Kevin's lawyers have advised there is a good chance of success at appeal and we should be grateful to them both that they are ready to go through the whole trial process again to fight the guilty verdicts.
The Fernie Hunt has set up a fund to help cover the legal costs of the appeal and I know that many people will want to support Derek, Kevin and the hunt. Cheques can be sent directly to:
Fernie Appeal Fund
C/o Harrington House
25 High Street
Harrington
Northampton
NN6 9NU
or for queries and details of the Bank Account, please e-mail
ferniehunt@googlemail.com
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