Borders huntsmen deny breaking fox hunting laws

Two men have appeared at Jedburgh Sheriff Court accused of deliberately hunting a fox with a pack of dogs.

The court heard that 66-year-old John Clive Richardson and 24-year-old Johnathan Riley, from Bonchester Bridge, were on a Jedforest Hunt in the Scottish Borders in 18 February 2016, when they were filmed by the League Against Cruel Sports.

The video was shown in court, and Mr Terence Hill, from the charity, said it shows a breach of the Protection of Wild Mammals Act (2002).

He told the court "opportunities to dispatch the fox humanely" were ignored.

But speaking in defence of Mr Riley, lawyer David McKee said that Mr Hill had "an agenda" and pointed out his viewpoint was from around 650 metres away.

Both men have denied breaking the Protection of Wild Mammals Act.

The trial continues.