Saboteur pleads guilty to criminal damage at Cottesmore Hunt ride in trial at Leicester Magistrates' Court

A hunt saboteur has pleaded guilty to causing criminal damage to a car which had two young children in.

The incident occurred on April 25 last year, when the driver of a Land Rover attended a countryside ride, organised by the Cottesmore Hunt, with his young children.

Anti-hunting protestors from Leicester Animal Rights, Northants Hunt Saboteurs and Hertfordshire Hunt Saboteurs targeted the event, which was held near Oakham.

One female protester hit the Land Rover which had the two children inside, both who were under four-years-old, causing damage to the bonnet.

Activists from the three anti-hunt groups, some of whom reportedly wore masks and balaclavas, had been present throughout the day’s proceedings.

Members of the hunt said they witnessed some shouting abuse at participants, who had come from across the area to take part in the event.

At Leicester Magistrates' Court on Monday last week (February 21), the woman pleaded guilty to criminal damage.

She was sentenced to a six-month conditional discharge and ordered to pay £200 to the victim. She was also ordered to pay a surcharge to fund victim services of £22 and to pay costs of £85 to the Crown Prosecution Service.

Polly Portwin, director of the Countryside Alliance’s Campaign for Hunting, said: “ While animal rights extremist groups such as this are small in numbers, they can nevertheless be violent and abusive.

"Members of the public out enjoying a day in the countryside should never have to be feel intimidated.

"On this occasion, the perpetrator has been brought to justice and we thank the police for handling this matter professionally.”