More Pro-Hunt Violence

17.02.05: Police are investigating claims of an attack on an elderly man, a mother of three and a 27-year-old protester during an incident said to involve supporters of the Chiddingfold Leconfield and Cowdray Hunt. Detectives were analysing video footage taken by an ITN cameraman.

Arson Attack on Anti-Hunt Campaigner's Van

Simon Wright from West Sussex was awoken at 4am on 3rd January 2005 by an explosion at the garage of his 17th century house. He raced down to find his almost new Citroen diesel van engulfed in flames.

Mr Wright actively campaigns against fox hunting and regularly monitors hunts in West Sussex. In 1998 his vehicle was damaged while he monitored the Crawley and Horsham Hunt. Two hunt masters were subsequently convicted, but later acquitted on appeal, for damaging his car. Mr Wright has had a catalogue of incidents while monitoring the Crawley and Horsham Hunt, including vandalism of his vehicle. He has recently made statements to police in connection with threatening behaviour from hunt followers. He was assaulted in 2001 at the Royal Oak Public House in Wineham by a hunt supporter, and recieved substantial damages from the assailant for criminal damages and assault. Hunt Master of the Crawley and Horsham Hunt, Kim Richardson, was recently videoed telling anti hunt protesters: "You are all fair game now, I've told everybody".

Chiddingfold, Leconfield and Cowdray Hunt's CHRISTMAS MESSAGE

Windows of hunt sabs cars smashed and recently killed fox dumped in window at Pulborough, W. Sussex 24 Dec 04 . Hunt met at Combelands, a gallops and stables owned by race course trainer and garage owner Guy Harwood.

The hunt terrier-man (Philip Overton) is alleged to have spoken to a hunt sab during Christmas Eve and reportedly said: "You'll be seing a fox later!"

Recent wave of violence against anti-hunt protestors since the Hunting Act was passed on 18th November 2004:

• 20 November 2004
  3 saboteurs injured. one has to undergo emergency surgery to save his finger. South Devon Hunt, Devon
  
• 27 November 2004
  Saboteur receives 5 stitches to head wound after attack. High Peak Harriers, Derbyshire
  
• 27 November 2004
  17 year old saboteur receives broken nose after repeatedly headbutted. Crawley and Horsham Hunt, West Sussex
  
• 4 December 2004
  Saboteurs threatened by terrierman wearing balaclava. Numerous assaults o­n saboteurs including a broken nose. Essex Farmers and Union/East Essex Hunt, Essex
  
• 11 December 2004
  Saboteur's wrist broken in 2 places by terrierman. Essex Hunt, Essex Saboteur threatened by hunt supporter in front of police. High Peak Harriers, Derbyshire
  
• 18 December 2004
  Saboteur ridden over by hunt rider twice. Essex Farmers and Union Hunt, Essex.
  Saboteurs punched and equipment stolen. Attempts made to smash saboteur's van window with log. Van whipped, kicked and thumped. Attempts made to drag saboteurs from van. Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hunt, Dorset.
  
• 24 December 2004
  2 cars smashed up and dead fox left on passenger seat of car. Chiddingfold Leconfield and Cowdray Hunt, West Sussex
  
• 27 December 2004
  Saboteurs threatened with knife. o­ne ridden down. Hunt supporters then armed themselves with iron bars and sticks. Weston and Banwell Harriers, Somerset.
  2 saboteurs rugby tackled to ground. Puckeridge Hunt, Suffolk.
  
• 31 December 2004
  12 hunt saboteurs injured by mob of 30 thugs. East Essex Hunt, Essex.
  
• 1 January 2005
  Pregnant woman taken to hospital with head injuries after being whipped and ridden over twice by hunt staff. Essex Hunt, Essex.
  
• 3 January 2005
  Hunt monitor's car destroyed in arson attack. West Sussex
  
• 4 January 2005
  2 saboteurs receive facial injuries and equipment is stolen. Surrey Union Hunt, Surrey.