Borders huntsmen drop appeal against fox hunting conviction
Posted 10th April 2017
The prosecution of father and son, John Clive Richardson and Johnny Riley on 29th June this year made them the first to be convicted under the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002.
Robbie Marsland, Director of the League Against Cruel Sports, Scotland said: “We welcome the news that John Clive Richardson and Johnny Riley have abandoned plans to appeal their conviction proving beyond any doubt that the pair broke the law back in February 2016.
“This was the first successful prosecution for mounted fox hunting in Scotland and while we were delighted to secure a conviction, we remain of the view that the law needs to be strengthened.”
The guilty verdict against whipper-in, Richardson and huntsman, Riley was reached with the help of video evidence supplied by the League Against Cruel Sports Scotland which showed the pair from Abbotrule, Bonchester Bridge breaching Section 1(1) of the Act.
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Notes to editor
- Video footage from 18th February 2016, used as evidence, with and without descriptive subtitles can be downloaded here and here.
- Media enquiries to Louise Robertson on 07930 539832 / louise@messagematters.co.uk