A HUNT master has been acquitted of illegal hunting by magistrates.
Evo Shirley, joint master of the Portman Hunt, was charged with hunting a wild mammal with a dog at Shapwick, near Blandford, on March 8 2017.
Prosecutors alleged the hunting was not of a class exempted by schedule one to the Hunting Act 2004.
Mr Shirley, 27 and of Bryanston, Blandford, pleaded not guilty, and a trial took place on Monday and Tuesday.
He has now been found not guilty.
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.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel