Hunting with dogs - Hunting Act 2004

Five charged with affray after Boxing Day attack on Colne Valley Beagles protesters

Colne Valley Beagles Supporters
Colne Valley Beagles: Two men police would like to speak with in connection with the incident on Boxing Day 2014

Five men have been charged following a Boxing Day hunt attack.

They have been accused of affray during an attempted hunt meet by the Colne Valley Beagles at the Jack O’Mitre pub in Scammonden last December, which was attended by hunt protesters.

The men were charged following an appeal published in the Examiner in July to identify four people from stills of a video taken by one of 12 protesters present on the day at the New Hey Road site.

The protesters were all believed to be from a local wing of the national organisation Hunt Saboteurs and had gathered to monitor the club’s rabbit and trail hunt.

The Jack O'Mitre at Scammonden
The Jack O’Mitre at Scammonden

According to their spokesman, Lee Moon, the group filmed an altercation in which two hunt saboteurs were dragged out of their van , which he said was smashed with baseball bats, before before being assaulted by a group of several people.

The hunt meet was then abandoned as a result of the incident, which was attended by police.

But PC Angela Lister, said that two men they would like to speak to “remain outstanding”.

According to their spokesman, Lee Moon, the group filmed an altercation in which two hunt saboteurs were dragged out of their van , which he said was smashed with baseball bats, before before being assaulted by a group of several people.

The hunt meet was then abandoned as a result of the incident, which was attended by police.

But PC Angela Lister, said that two men they would like to speak to “remain outstanding”.

She said: “The five will appear in court at some point in the next several weeks but two other men remain outstanding.

“We would like people to help us identify these two, one of whom we believe was the ring leader.

“One was wearing a green sweatshirt and the other was wearing a black and brown jacket with a black face covering.”

Anyone with any information about the men should call the police on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.

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Source: Huddersfield Examiner