The huntsman of the Cheshire Hounds has been found guilty of illegal hunting under the Hunting Act 2004.
John Finnegan, 38, of Kennel Lane in Cuddington, Northwich, failed to show up in court as he was found guilty of two charges of hunting a wild mammal with a dog. Finnegan was handed a fine and a criminal behaviour order.
Finnegan hunted a fox with dogs on November 12 last year in Chorley Green.
He then committed the same offence on November 26, this time in Marbury.
He was due to appear at Crewe Magistrates Court today (August 30, 2023) but did not show.
Finnegan was nevertheless found guilty and handed a criminal behaviour order which came into effect immediately.
The order, which lasts for two years, states that Finnegan must be able to evidence where a trail has been laid on the day of a trail hunt for which is the huntsman, and must be able to produce this evidence when asked by a police officer.
Finnegan was fined £1,000 and must pay £150 in costs to the Crown Prosecution Service, along with a surcharge of £800.
He must pay the full amount by September 27, 2023.