Huntsman Convicted in Lincolnshire’s First Fox Hunting Case

A man has been found guilty of fox hunting, marking the initial conviction of its kind in Lincolnshire. Neil Burton, the huntsman for the Burton Hunt, received a fine of £1,490 following a two-day trial at Lincoln Magistrates’ Court. The court was presented with footage, recorded by the Lincolnshire Hunt Saboteurs, showing Burton shouting and sounding a horn to encourage hounds as they pursued a fox. Pamela Newman, who chaired the bench, stated: “Mr Burton knows his hounds intimately and knew they were in full cry. He encouraged them.” Burton, aged 59, who has been associated with the Burton Hunt since 2005, faced charges of unlawfully hunting a wild mammal. He had previously denied an accusation related to the incident on 27 January at Riseholme Lane, near Lincoln. During the trial, Stewart Scull, a wildlife and countryside management consultant, testified that Burton’s shouts and short, staccato horn calls were encouraging the hounds to hunt. However, Burton, of Riseholme Lane, disputed this. He stated: “I was encouraging the hounds to come to me.” He explained that the horn calls were intended to gather the dogs approaching from behind. He added: “I wanted to stop my hounds, I was riding to get their head. If I could get in front of them, that stops them.” In cross-examination, prosecutor Paul Wood told Burton that leaving his position on the road was inconsistent with his assertion that he was ensuring the dogs’ safety. Mr. Wood asserted: “You were not making attempts to call them back. You were attempting to excite them,” to which Burton replied, “no”. When delivering the sentence, Mrs. Newman acknowledged Burton’s previous good character but concluded he had encouraged the hounds. Det Con Aaron Flint, of Lincolnshire Police’s rural crime action team, commented: “We simply will not tolerate illegal fox hunting in Lincolnshire, it is a barbaric and savage activity. “I hope this conviction sends a clear message that we will take anyone to court who… has taken part in such a cruel and primitive pursuit.”