Hunt master acquitted of charges of illegal hunting

The huntsman of the Portman Hunt has been found not guilty of offences under the Hunting Act 2004 at Poole Magistrates Court today (14 March).

Joint-master Evo Shirley faced charges of illegal hunting brought by the CPS relating to hunting activity on 8 March 2017. The court case was held over two days from Monday 12 February to Tuesday 13 February with the judge delivering his verdict on Wednesday 14 March.

The Countryside Alliance's Chief Executive Tim Bonner said: "This is another case in which there was ample evidence that the hunt was operating legally. The police and CPS need to consider very carefully any 'evidence' supplied by anti-hunting activists who have a vested interest in vilifying members of the hunting community.

"This is another example of thousands of pounds being wasted in court and police time."