HSA news release 4th April 1998
Huntsmen get taste of their own medicine!
At least 2 Cotswold huntsmen were tonight nursing sore heads after their
attempt to attack hunt saboteurs near Mitcheldean, Gloucestershire,
backfired on them.
The local hunt saboteurs in the Forest of Dean, having been subjected to
previous attacks from the Cotswold Vale Farmers hunt, and faced with
increasingly serious violence, called on other saboteurs in the Midlands to
support them on the hunt's last day this season (Saturday 4th
April).
Violence erupted at about 1.30pm when a group of hunt supporters blocked a
country lane to stop the saboteurs moving off. In the argument that followed
up to 10 red coated hunt riders including the huntsman and joint masters
rode up and down the lane attacking saboteurs with their boots and whips. A
number of hunt terriermen also ganged up on isolated saboteurs and assaulted
them.
Much of this was being filmed and photographed by saboteurs at the scene,
and when one of the masters realised they were being filmed, he rode over
and attacked the video cameraman with his upturned whip. The video camera
was smashed causing over £800 damage. Saboteurs are currently at Gloucester
police station making complaints of assault and criminal damage by members
of the hunt.
It is believed 2 hunt riders were injured after getting off their horses to
single out the female saboteurs for attack, the saboteurs defended
themselves, as is their right. The saboteurs were not carrying weapons as
the hunt will no doubt allege, and subsequent police searches of saboteurs
and their vehicles confirmed this.
This hunt has a long list of previous violence towards saboteurs, including
one joint master (M J Smith) being arrested and cautioned by police last
year, for an indecent assault on a female saboteur. He pleaded guilty after
finding out the assault was recorded on film, but still continues to grab
female hunt saboteurs by the breasts.
The huntsman, Mathew Calcott, is to appear in Leominster Magistrates Court
on 17th April charged with criminal damage to the local hunt saboteurs'
vehicle. The supporters and officials of the hunt have tried on several
occasions this season to overturn the saboteurs' Land Rover, once even using
a fork lift equipped tractor!
Photos can be found
here
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