Another conviction brought on League Against Cruel Sports evidence is overturned

A hunt employee has won his appeal against a conviction brought with evidence from the League Against Cruel Sports (LACS).

Lee Martin, countryman for the Middleton hunt, had been found guilty of interfering with a badger sett by Scarborough Magistrates on 10 February but strenuously denied the case against him.

Today (15 October) Mr Martin emerged from York Crown Court after having been exonerated of the charge – more than 18 months after the alleged incident.

It is not the first spurious case against the Middleton hunt by LACS. Middleton hunt master and huntsman Tom Holt was cleared of a Hunting Act offence in February, having also been accused following covert surveillance by the group.

Countryside Alliance chief executive Tim Bonner said: "This has been a huge waste of time and tax payers' money by LACS. The CPS needs to carefully consider whether they should bring prosecutions on the evidence of paid animal rights activists."