FOUR men from Somerset have been ordered to pay fines after they were found guilty of hunting and killing a fox illegally.

The men, who held various roles with the hunt, attended an event led by the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hunt on December 4 in the Buckhorn Weston area, where a fox was killed by pursuing hounds.

Evidence gathered by members of the public who had been monitoring the hunt was reviewed by an expert to establish whether the fox had been hunted and killed illegally.

Following a trial at Poole Magistrates’ Court, 23-year-old Conall McGrath from Charlton Horethorne, 33-year-old George Pierce from Charlton Horethorne, 60-year-old Andrew Osborne from Templecombe, and 34-year-old Freddie Osborne from Templecombe were all found guilty of an offence under section one of the Hunting Act 2004.

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Detective Constable Steve Allen, of the Rural Crime Team, said: “Dorset Police is committed to investigating any alleged breach of the Hunting Act 2004 and ensuring anyone breaching the legislation is held to account.

“This case saw us work with experts and the CPS to compile evidence and build a compelling case to ultimately secure convictions for these four individuals.

“Hunting mammals with dogs has been illegal since 2004. A few, very specific, exemptions apply.

“We would ask anyone with evidence relating to hunting offences to please report it to us.”

McGrath and Pierce were ordered to pay fines and court costs totalling £1,140 each and the other two defendant were each ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £930.

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