Saboteurs from north west of England sentenced for threatening hunt supporters in Ashwell Road, Oakham

Five hunt saboteurs have been sentenced for threatening three victims, including a 15-year-old girl.

The men had travelled Ashwell Road, Oakham, on January 29 and, wearing black and playing loud music from a Land Rover Discovery, were ‘extremely aggressive’ and ‘intimidating’.

Two men and a teenage girl were assaulted, sparking a police appeal for witnesses.

Five men were traced and charged with using threatening behaviour, and were found guilty following a three-day trial in July.

At their sentencing on Monday at Leicester Magistrates’ Court, the men, who were aged between 21 and 47 and came from the north west of England, received a mixture of suspended prison sentences, community service and curfew orders, and must each pay hundreds of pounds in court costs.

After the sentencing, Polly Portwin, director of the campaign for hunting at the Countryside Alliance, said: “The act of protest is a fundamental right.

“However, hunt saboteur activity routinely crosses the line between what is acceptable and what is unlawful.

“While small in numbers, hunt saboteurs can be incredibly violent individuals that are a danger to law abiding citizens.

“Often disguised in balaclavas, they terrorise the countryside and are driven purely by a hatred of people, rather than animal welfare.

“It can never be acceptable to disrupt or prevent lawful activity from taking place.

She added: “The court has sent a strong message that this behaviour will not be tolerated.

“We hope their victims find comfort in this sentencing.”