29th November 2008

Hunt rider's fall was 'devastating'

AN EXPERIENCED horse rider died of a heart attack four days after falling from his mount during a hunt, an inquest heard. Michael Slater was taking part in a trail hunt on his 15-year-old horse Solomon when they took a wire fence but landed unsteadily.

The 49-year-old, from Pipe Gate, near Woore, fell forward from his horse and landed on his head, damaging his spine at the base of his neck

28th November 2008

Worcestershire huntsman suffers rotational fall

Worcestershire huntsman Ian Starsmore suffered a rotational fall on Wednesday (26 November) and was taken to the trauma centre Birmingham's Selly Oak hospital. He is being kept under heavy sedation and on a ventilator in intensive care until the brain swelling subsides.

The Worcestershire kennels are currently laid up with the cough and the accident occurred with a visiting North Ledbury pack

27th November 2008

Hunt continues under Claude's eagle eye

A FALCONER has criticised a Westcountry hunt for using an eagle owl to get around the ban on fox hunting.

George Hedges, of Devon's Eagles, warned that the South Devon Hunt's practice of hunting with a bird of prey and a pack of hounds could put the bird's life at risk.

But the hunt have hit back, saying there is "no way" they would put the owl in danger. And they have been supported by another falconer, who has praised their professional approach to keeping the bird

15th November 2008

Girlfriend of Bryan Ferry's son Otis arrested for allegedly perverting the course of justice

The girlfriend of Bryan Ferry's son Otis was arrested yesterday for allegedly perverting the course of justice. Francesca Nimmo, 22, was being quizzed by police along with Countryside Alliance official Adrian Simpson.

The pop star's son, 26, is in Gloucester Prison awaiting trial for perverting the course of justice. He, Nimmo and Simpson, 53, are suspected of trying to influence a witness in his original case for robbery and assault.

12th November 2008

Otis Ferry ‘a political prisoner’, says MP

Rock star’s son Otis Ferry is being held as a political prisoner, Shrewsbury MP Daniel Kawczynski claimed today.

He said he had now written to the head of the Crown Prosecution Service demanding the countryside campaigner, of Eaton Mascott, near Shrewsbury, be bailed to await his next court appearance.

The 25-year-old son of Roxy Music singer Bryan Ferry has been on remand in Gloucester jail since September 18 on charges of perverting the course of justice. He may have waited a total of more than five months by the time his case goes to trial.

7th November 2008

Men bragged about dog attack on badgers

BADGER attackers Christopher Hindmarsh and Justin Lang boasted about their exploits to police.

They also filmed one attack on a badger and bragged in text messages about how they had captured and killed the animals, a court was told.

Hindmarsh, 28, of Alwinton Square, and Lang, 24, of Norham Road, both Ashington, admitted charges linked to badger-baiting when they appeared before magistrates at Alnwick. Both men were granted unconditional bail until later this month, when they will be sentenced

7th November 2008

Three Men and Youth Admit Illegal Hare Coursing

THREE men and a youth found in a muddy 4x4 vehicle with a number of lurcher dogs have admitted illegal hare coursing.

The four hare courses were caught at Lowers Farm, Six Mile Bottom, on August 13, Ely magistrates were told on Thursday.

Danny King, 22, of Dartford, Kent; George King, 25, of Bexleyheath, Kent; and Charles Lee, 25, of Caterham, Surrey; were all fined £150 and ordered to pay £25 costs and a £15 surcharge. Danny King and Lee were also banned from driving for 28 days. The 14-year-old youth was fined £30 with £5 costs and a £15 surcharge.

3rd November 2008

Exclusive: New head of Royal Bank of Scotland goes foxhunting and hosts posh ball

THE MAN brought in as head of the ailing Royal Bank of Scotland hosted a foxhunt ball on his £7million estate at the weekend.

Stephen Hester spent Saturday at the posh Warwickshire Hunt, then entertained the toffs with a lavish ball at his mansion, set in 350 acres of land.

But with the jobs of 16,000 RBS workers under threat, taxpayers will be shocked to see the pampered lifestyle of the man charged with rescuing one of Scotland's oldest banking institutions