Hunt Supporters Plead Guilty to Affray

Hunt Saboteurs Association News Release 5th October 2016

Three supporters of the Colne Valley Beagles Hunt have pleaded guilty to Affray after an attack on hunt saboteurs on Boxing Day 2014. The hunt met at the Jack O Mitre pub in Scammonden, West Yorkshire for their traditional Boxing Day meet. Supporters of the hunt attacked the sab vehicle with baseball bats, dragged several members of the group from the vehicle and punched and kicked them repeatedly.

Yesterday, three of the perpetrators pleaded guilty to Affray and were charged as follows: Danny O’Brien sentenced to 120 hours Community Service Charles Walker sentenced to 80 hours Community Service. Gareth Nicholson sentenced to 60 hours Community Service.

Lee Moon, spokesperson for the Hunt Saboteurs Association, stated: “Whilst we are pleased that the attackers have admitted their crimes and will have to carry out community service this is a disappointing light sentence. Affray is a serious charge and this was a premeditated and vicious attack which would ordinarily have resulted in a prison sentence. Two of the main instigators of the attack are still unidentified and we hope West Yorkshire Police continue to look for these individuals. The police are still looking for the main attacker, pictured to the right of the photo above. If you have any information about the identity of this person, please contact West Yorkshire police on 101.”