A shocking attack on three hunt saboteurs which involved a high speed chase through country roads has ended in a conviction.
Barry Watson, 48, of Glatton, Cambridgeshire was convicted of assault and criminal damage on Thursday, August 2 at Peterborough Magistrates’ Court after entering guilty pleas.
Back in February, Watson attacked members of the North Cambs Hunt Saboteurs, who had been staking out a popular meeting spot of the local Fitzwilliam (Milton) Hunt.
Reportedly, the hunt supporters had recognised the saboteurs’ vehicle and given chase.
Caught on camera
A video taken by the North Cambs Hunt Saboteurs starts with several vehicles chasing the saboteurs’ vehicle before bringing it to a stop on a narrow country road.
The supporters can be seen to exit their vehicle holding what appear to be torches before one, later identified as Mr Watson, appears to strike the activists’ vehicle.
A police report on the incident said: “He [Mr Watson] got out of his car and struck some of the windows with a metal torch, shattering them.
“The torch was thrown through the back windscreen and struck one of the occupants on the back.”
The video then shows the saboteurs drive away, weaving around several hunt supporters’ vehicles.
The hunt supporters then follow, with a high speed chase down wet, country roads ensuing.
Guilty plea
Watson pleaded guilty to two charges, one of assault and one of criminal damage.
He was sentenced by Peterborough Magistrates’ Court to 80 hours supervised community service, and ordered to pay court fees.
After the verdict, North Cambs Hunt Saboteurs said they were “disappointed with the leniency of the sentence.”
The Hunt’s response
A spokesman for the hunt said “The Fitzwilliam Hunt does not condone criminal activity even in intimidating circumstances or under extreme provocation.
“The hunt encourages its supporters to refrain from engaging with anti-hunting activists at all times.”
Hunt Details
Source: Cambridgeshire Live
