On Tuesday 14th October 2014, at Berwick Magistrates’ Court, three members of the College Valley and North Northumberland Hunt – Ian McKie (huntsman), Andrew Proe (kennel huntsman) and Tim Smalley (joint master) – were found guilty of illegally hunting a wild mammal with dogs on the 27th February 2014 under Section 1 of the Hunting Act 2004. Smalley was fined £2,075 and £120 victim surcharge; McKie £1,150 and £115 victim surcharge; and Proe £480 and £48 victim surcharge. Each was also ordered to pay costs of £385. The case was brought by the Crown Prosecution Service following evidence supplied by the League Against Cruel Sports and further investigations by Northumbria police. The case was widely reported in the national and local news media.
