HSA news release 12th March 2005

Essex Hunt Master arrested

A Master of the Essex Farmers and Union fox hunt was arrested this afternoon (Saturday 12 March 2005) on suspicion of causing Actual Bodily Harm and Criminal Damage, following a series of threats and attacks on hunt saboteurs and their vehicles.

The hunt had met at the Anchor public house, Runsell Green near Maldon, Essex intending to flush foxes towards guns and shoot them. Hunt saboteurs claim that a rider with the hunt made clear threats, saying "One of you is going to get it today. One of you is really going to get hurt." Hunt supporters attacked saboteurs on several occasions.

At approximately 1.30 p.m. a Master of the hunt attacked a hunt saboteur, attempting to smash a video camera used for evidence gathering. The saboteur was struck with ship several times on the wrist and on the head. She was taken by ambulance to Chelmsford hospital with a suspected broken wrist and concussion. Another saboteur had already left the area after being beaten up.

At 3 p.m. police arrested a Master of the hunt as the hunt packed up back at the original meeting point.

A rider with the hunt had ridden into a tree earlier in the day and made a false allegation that his bloody nose was caused by hunt saboteurs. When the saboteurs explained the embarrassing truth, police took no further action.

ENDS

Timeline: the recent wave of violence against anti-hunt protestors since the Hunting Act was passed...

• 18 November 2004
  Parliament passes Hunting Bill. Hunting to be illegal on 19th February.
• 20 November
  3 saboteurs injured. One has to undergo emergency surgery to save his finger. South Devon Hunt, Devon
• 27 November
  Saboteur receives 5 stitches to head wound after attack. High Peak Harriers, Derbyshire
  17 year old saboteur receives broken nose after repeatedly headbutted. Crawley and Horsham Hunt, West Sussex
• 4 December
  Saboteurs threatened by terrierman wearing balaclava. Numerous assaults on saboteurs including a broken nose. Essex Farmers and Union/East Essex Hunt, Essex
• 11 December
  Saboteur's wrist broken in 2 places by terrierman. Essex Hunt, Essex Saboteur threatened by hunt supporter in front of police. High Peak Harriers, Derbyshire
• 18 December
  Saboteur ridden over by hunt rider twice. Essex Farmers and Union Hunt, Essex.
  Saboteurs punched and equipment stolen. Attempts made to smash saboteur's van window with log. Van whipped, kicked and thumped. Attempts made to drag saboteurs from van. Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hunt, Dorset.
• 24 December
  2 cars smashed up and dead fox left on passenger seat of car. Chiddingfold Leconfield and Cowdray Hunt, West Sussex
• 27 December
  Saboteurs threatened with knife. One ridden down. Hunt supporters then armed themselves with iron bars and sticks. Weston and Banwell Harriers, Somerset.
  2 saboteurs rugby tackled to ground. Puckeridge Hunt, Suffolk.
• 31 December
  12 hunt saboteurs injured by mob of 30 thugs. East Essex Hunt, Essex.
• 1 January 2005
  Pregnant woman taken to hospital with head injuries after being whipped and ridden over twice by hunt staff. Essex Hunt, Essex.
• 3 January
  Hunt monitor's car destroyed in arson attack. West Sussex
• 4 January
  2 saboteurs receive broken rib, facial injuries and equipment is stolen. Surrey Union Hunt, Surrey.
• 8 January
  4 female saboteurs attacked receiving limb injuries / fractures, vehicle badly damaged. Crawley & Horsham Hunt, West Sussex.
• 15 January
  Saboteurs threatened and attacked, vehicle damaged. Cotswold Vale Hunt, Gloucestershire.
• 20 January
  Hunt supporter armed with a metal spike punctures sab Landrover door, barely missing the driver's leg. Duke of Beaufort's Hunt, Wiltshire
• 22 January
  60 year old female aboteurs ridden down - receives head and neck injuries. Dunston Harriers, Norfolk.
• 29 January
  2 hunt ‘stewards’ arrested after attack on hunt saboteurs. Avon Vale Fox Hunt, Wiltshire.
• 05 February
  2 hunt saboteurs injured, 15 attacked by 30 hunt thugs. East Kent Fox Hunt, Kent.
• 05 February
  Hunt saboteurs threatened with violence by hunt followers in front of police, obstruction and theft from motor vehicle ignored. Hampshire Fox Hunt, Hampshire.
• 09 February
  Saboteurs hit by quad bike, ridden down and whipped. Essex Farmers and Union Hunt
• 12 February
  Saboteur's finger broken, female sab had head held under water by hunt supporters, female saboteur repeatedly kicked in the head and head stamped on suffering a suspected broken jaw, gang of over 40 hunt supporters ambushed saboteurs. Essex Foxhounds, Essex.
• 17 February
  8 Saboteur's attacked and ITN film crew ambushed by 30 thugs and riders. Chiddingfold Leconfield and Cowdray Hunt, West Sussex.
• 05 March
  Saboteurs attacked by hunt riders and supporters. One hit bone handle of rider's whip, others ridden down and whipped. Essex Farmers and Union Hunt

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