IFAW Takes Private Prosecution under Hunting Act
9 November 2007
The first hearing of a private prosecution being brought by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW, www.ifaw.co.uk) was held today at Scarborough Magistrates Court, North Yorkshire.
Robbie Marsland, IFAW Director UK, has brought the
prosecution against Clarissa Dickson Wright, from Midlothian and Sir Mark
Prescott, from Newmarket.
Both defendants are charged with attending a hare coursing event under Section 5 of the Hunting Act 2004 and with hunting hares with dogs under Section 1 of the Act. The defendants did not attend today’s hearing but entered a plea of ‘not guilty’.
The case was adjourned until 19 November 2007 when it will be heard at the same time as prosecutions against five other individuals allegedly involved in the same incident. These individuals have been charged under Section 5 of the Act by North Yorkshire police.
IFAW instituted proceedings against Clarissa Dickson Wright and Sir Mark Prescott because the six months legal time limit within which a prosecution must be brought was running out. IFAW is in consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service to discuss whether or not they will take over the case. IFAW is committed to continuing with the case whatever the CPS decides.
Both defendants are charged with attending a hare coursing event under Section 5 of the Hunting Act 2004 and with hunting hares with dogs under Section 1 of the Act. The defendants did not attend today’s hearing but entered a plea of ‘not guilty’.
The case was adjourned until 19 November 2007 when it will be heard at the same time as prosecutions against five other individuals allegedly involved in the same incident. These individuals have been charged under Section 5 of the Act by North Yorkshire police.
IFAW instituted proceedings against Clarissa Dickson Wright and Sir Mark Prescott because the six months legal time limit within which a prosecution must be brought was running out. IFAW is in consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service to discuss whether or not they will take over the case. IFAW is committed to continuing with the case whatever the CPS decides.
For media-related
inquiries, contact:
IFAW UK Press Office
0207 587
6700
