Middleton Hunt Master and Huntsman Tom Holt not guilty

Middleton Hunt Master and Huntsman Tom Holt has been found not guilty of a Hunting Act offence after a trial at Scarborough Magistrates' Court. Employees of the League Against Cruel Sports (LACS) had covertly filmed Mr Holt on 19th February near Malton in North Yorkshire and made allegations of illegal hunting. The Crown Prosecution Service brought a prosecution and, nearly a year later, Mr Holt has today been found not guilty. Tim Bonner, Director of Campaigns at the Countryside Alliance, said: "This is the second failed hunt prosecution brought by North Yorkshire Crown Prosecution Service on the basis of allegations made by League Against Cruel Sports employees in a matter of weeks. We are increasingly concerned that innocent people are being dragged through the courts at the behest of animal rights activists, and that taxpayers have to pick up the bill. The police and Crown Prosecution Service must urgently review their relationship with animal rights groups like LACS. Allegations made by partial witnesses based on unauthorised covert surveillance are no basis for a sound prosecution."