Sam Jones, huntsman of the Cottesmore Hunt, has been found ‘Not Guilty’ of fox hunting, following a two-day trial at Loughborough and Leicester Magistrates Court on 4th and 5th February 2026. The trial follows an incident on 18th January 2025 where the Cottesmore hunted a fox in front of Northants Hunt Saboteurs.
Using techniques learnt in the infamous Hunting Office webinars, the defence claimed that Jones believed he was looking for trails and that so-called ‘trail hunting’ just so happens to look identical to fox hunting. This case is therefore a perfect example of why so-called ‘trail hunting’ – a wholly discredited practice banned by major landowners in England and Wales and pre-emptively banned by the Scottish government – must be consigned to history.
But it also shows that a ban on ‘trail hunting’ on its own is insufficient to stop hardened, committed fox hunters like the Cottesmore.
After losing the original fox, Jones then searches in the same area that the fox had run to either try to find it again, or to find another fox.
This all showed clear intent to hunt in the eyes of the CPS. However, the Hunting Act states:
“That the interpretation of the Act in terms of the term “hunts” under the Act does not include the mere searching for an as yet unidentified wild mammal. Therefore, an illegal hunt will only begin, when a person or persons engage or participate in the pursuit of an “identified” wild mammal, they would then be guilty of an offence under the Act subject to the facts.”
Essentially, then, a huntsman is free to search anywhere for a wild mammal as long as he stays out of the way once the pursuit of the wild mammal begins. The law is not fit for purpose and is continuing to fail wildlife in 2026 and this is why we need to keep pushing the Labour government to fulfil their manifesto pledge and strengthen the Hunting Act.
The efforts of Leicestershire police to get this matter to court are to be praised and we hope that they will continue to do the same when provided with good evidence.
And let’s not forget, Sam Jones is currently being investigated by Leicestershire police for a number of other incidents involving wild animals being chased by his hounds.
This result has not only let Northants Hunt Sabs down but, more importantly, it has seriously let down our wildlife which the hunting ban was supposed to protect.
There is no justice for hunted wildlife…just us!
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