Hunter jailed for assult
The League has welcomed the sentence handed down to huntsman, Christopher Marles at Exeter Crown Court.
Marles pleaded guilty to assaulting hunt monitor, Helen Weeks while out with the East Devon Hunt in March last year. The incident was caught on film by a League Against Cruel Sports cameraman. Marles was also subject to a nine month sentence, suspended for two years following a similar attack on another hunt monitor in October 2005. He is now serving a six month jail term.
Following the attack on Ms Weeks the hunt has revoked Marles’ red coat, however this wasn’t done following the first assault.
Chief Executive of the League, Douglas Batchelor said: “Abusive or violent behaviour should not be tolerated in any sector of society so we commend the judge for taking such a firm stance in punishing Christopher Marles. It’s a shame the hunt didn’t demonstrate their abhorrence of violence by kicking him out the first time this thug was convicted.”