29th September 2008

Man charged with beating badgers

A man has been accused of snaring six badgers and beating them to death with a blunt instrument.

Anthony Rogers, 58, of Breconside Farm, Moffat, faced nine charges at Dumfries Sheriff Court in connection with the deaths of the animals

27th September 2008

Hunters scream bias as poll reveals most support ban

Even people who consider themselves Conservative voters do not want to see the ban on hunting repealed, a controversial poll to be released tomorrow will say.

The Western Daily Press can reveal a new MORI poll shows a majority of Tory supporters want to retain the Hunting Act, despite the party itself pledging a repeal as soon as it gains office.

But the poll itself has sparked fury among hunt supporters amid claims the question asked a sample of more than 2,000 voters by the respected polling organisation MORI was biased against hunting. It is understood the Countryside Alliance is to complain about the way MORI conducted the poll, eight months after having a similar complaint against the polling organisation upheld

27th September 2008

Huntsman used horse to force protester into ditch, magistrates told

A HUNTSMAN repeatedly pushed a protester into a ditch with his horse as she tried to monitor his foxhounds, a court heard.

Sheep farmer Christopher Marles, 46, rode the horse forward three times, forcing 50-year-old anti-hunt campaigner Helen Weeks off the narrow road each time.

Exeter Magistrates' Court heard yesterday that Miss Weeks was terrified and had a sore back and stomach after climbing out of the ditch three times

26th September 2008

Police are investigating the shooting of a badger after a dead animal was found in Cornwall. The animal was found on land in the Towednack area of St Ives. The Cornwall Badger Rescue and Brock Group informed police of the discovery. A bullet was recovered during a post-mortem examination, police said.

It is a criminal offence to wilfully kill a badger under the Protection of Badgers Act 1992. The offence carries a a prison sentence of up to six months. Devon and Cornwall Police said that a formal investigation had been started.

26th September 2008

Court adjourns hunt assault case

A Devon huntsman who admitted assaulting a hunt monitor has had his case adjourned for a special hearing.

Christopher Marles, 46, of New Buildings, Farringdon, near Exeter, admitted assaulting Helen Weeks. But Exeter Magistrates' Court ordered a Newton hearing after the prosecution disputed the basis of Marles' plea.  A Newton hearing can occur when the defence and prosecution dispute the facts on which the court would impose sentence.

24th September 2008

Bryan Ferry's son Otis in handcuffs as judge says he must remain in custody for 10 more weeks

Otis Ferry was today told he may face at least another two-and-a-half months behind bars while facing charges of perverting the course of justice.

The countryside campaigner and son of rock star Bryan Ferry, was today led into court in handcuffs, only to be told that he will not be able to enter a plea to the court until December 5.

Ferry, 25, was last week arrested a day after his robbery trial was sensationally adjourned

24th September 2008

Ferry holed by burglary

Yet more trouble for hunting pin-up Otis Ferry. While the son of crooner Bryan Ferry languishes in Gloucester prison accused of attempting to pervert the course of justice, thieves have burgled his home in Shropshire.

To the bewilderment of his family, 25-year-old Otis, who is joint master of the South Shropshire Hunt, has had all his hand-tailored suits and shirts stolen, along with shoes, socks and  -  bizarrely  -  his boxer shorts

24th September 2008

Ferry remanded in custody until December

OTIS Ferry was sent back to jail today by a judge who told him that his trial on charges of alleged 'witness nobbling', robbery and assault will not be held until next March.

Huntsman and countryside campaigner Ferry, 25, son of rock star Bryan, made an eight minute preliminary appearance at Gloucester crown court on two charges of perverting the course of justice.

20th September 2008

Gamekeeper who clubbed badgers to death spared jail

A teenage gamekeeper who clubbed to death badgers and shot buzzards then recorded the illegal killings in a coded diary has been spared jail.

Kyle Burden claimed he killed the animals ahead of the shooting season to protect pheasants and partridges, game for wealthy visitors to a Shropshire estate. He put all the details in a diary, alongside the deaths of 300 rabbits and 40 ravens.

Burden was yesterday given a six-month suspended jail sentence and ordered to complete 150 hours of community service, after pleading guilty to killing two buzzards, attempting to kill two other birds, and killing two badgers

19th September 2008

TRIAL CALL FERRY SON IN PRISON
Court witness 'threat' rap

Rock star's son Otis Ferry spent last night in prison accused of trying to nobble a witness in his trial.

Huntmaster Ferry, 25, faces charges of attacking and stealing a protester's camera as she took photos of pack out fox hunting.

But it is alleged he tried to bully his former groomsman David Hodgkiss so he would not give evidence against him. Ferry, son of Roxy Music singer Bryan, will appear before a judge today to ask to be freed on bail after spending two nights locked up

18th September 2008

Otis Ferry charged with perverting course of justice
Countryside campaigner's robbery and assault trial adjourned over new charge

The countryside campaigner Otis Ferry has been charged with perverting the course of justice after allegedly trying to intimidate a witness in his trial for the alleged robbery and assault of two hunt saboteurs.

The 25-year-old son of rock star Bryan Ferry was remanded in custody after appearing in court today to face two charges relating to approaching a witness in his trial.

18th September 2008

Ferry accused of intimidating witness

ROCK star Bryan Ferry's son, Otis, was today committed in custody for crown court trial accused of trying to 'nobble' a prosecution witness against him on robbery and theft charges.

Magistrates at Cheltenham sent 25-year-old huntsman and countryside campaigner Ferry to Gloucester Crown Court on two charges of intending to pervert the course of justice. Ferry, of Cross Hands, Eaton Mascot, Shropshire, is said to have contacted his former Hunt groomsman, David Hodgkiss, pressurising him not to give evidence against him.

15th September 2008

Otis Ferry trial is adjourned

THE robbery and assault trial of rock star's son Otis Ferry was adjourned today to give the barristers involved more time to prepare their cases.

Countryside campaigner Ferry, 25, of Eaton Mascot, Shropshire, the son of Roxy Music singer Bryan Ferry, allegedly attacked a hunt monitor and robbed another while they tried to film him at his sport last year.

Ferry, who arrived this morning at Gloucester Crown Court, sitting at Cirencester Magistrates, previously denied robbing Helen Ghalmi of a Samsung video camera belonging to Susan Grima on November 21 at Lower Swell, near Cheltenham

4th September 2008

Blood sport taking place near Welwyn Garden City

A CRUEL and vicious blood sport where animals get ripped apart is taking place just a mile from WGC town centre.

The brutal hare coursing events see lurcher dogs let loose to chase defenceless hares, which are torn limb from limb - not for food but just for fun.

The merciless game is becoming a real problem for the villages and farms surrounding WGC

WOMEN LEFT TERRIFIED AFTER DOG ATTACK 

Two Island women say they've been left terrified and shaken after an encounter with the Isle of Wight Hunt.

70-year-old great grandmother Margaret Mussgin and her sister were walking in Gatcombe when their whippet dog was chased and pursued by a group of hounds.

Speaking exclusively to Isle of Wight Radio, Margaret said, "The dog was exhausted. She was being pursued and I just screamed help and quick because I thought the hounds would attack even more. Her claws were missing, one pad was gone, and a ligament in the back of her leg was showing which she had to have stitches. She had to have a sediment and painkillers. I haven't slept for two days and we're terrified about going back there".

Members of Sunday's hunt were unwilling to speak to Isle of Wight Radio, however a spokesman from the Countryside Alliance said, "despite this unfortunate incident the dogs would never hurt a person or child. The hunt has offered to pay the whippet's vets bills".

1st September 2008

Crackdown targets hare coursing

A crackdown on people involved in hare coursing is under way across Perth and Kinross and Angus.

Tayside Police re-launched Operation Lepus after drier weather allowed farmers to cut their crops, which means the hares can be easily seen.

Hare coursing was banned in Scotland six years ago, and offenders can face a £10,000 fine and six months in prison. Police said the number of people detected had risen over the last three years and many arrests had been made