Trial of Borders huntsmen accused of ignoring fox hunting ban is adjourned

The trial of two huntsmen accused of ignoring Scotland's fox hunting legislation has been adjourned for two months.

Three days of evidence have already been heard at Jedburgh Sheriff Court in the case of Buccleuch Hunt members, 41-year-old Timothy Allen and 28-year-old Shaun Anderson.

They are accused of deliberately hunting a fox with a pack of dogs at Whitton Farm, near Morebattle, on December 20 last year, in breach of the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) 2002.

Both men have pleaded not guilty to the charge.

On day three of the trial, police firearms expert Inspector Keith Warhurst referred to video evidence supplied by the League Against Cruel Sports.

He felt there was a sufficient gap from the fox being flushed from cover to stop the hounds from pursuing it.

The law prevents the dogs from pursuing the fox which should be dispatched with a gun after being flushed from cover.

The trial has now been adjourned until December 4.

Another four days have been set aside to hear further evidence in the case.