Quorn Hunt staff accused of illegally hunting foxes

They now face trial at Loughborough Magistrates Court on January 11 in a trial expected to last three days.

Huntsman John Oliver ‘Ollie’ Finnegan, aged 35, from Melton Mowbray and whipper-in Rhys Matcham, aged 29, from Badminton, are accused of hunting a wild mammal with a dog, namely a fox, on February 4, 2020.

The case follows an investigation by Leicestershire Police based on evidence obtained by professional investigators working for animal welfare charity the League Against Cruel Sports – an animal welfare charity founded in 1924 with the aim of ending blood sports in the UK.

The charges relate to an incident on land at Breedon-on-the-Hill on 4 February 2020.

ENDS

Notes to Editors

For more information, or to arrange interviews following the trial, please contact pressoffice@league.org.uk or call 01483 524250.

A huntsman is employed by the hunt and is responsible for directing the pack during the day’s hunting. A whipper-in helps the huntsman with the control of the hounds.

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