Three men have appeared in court charged with offences under the Hunting Act 2014, the Protection of Badgers Act 1992 and the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Areas Act 1979. Sean Stringwell, Michael Sharp and Danny Smithson appeared before Harrogate Magistrates’ Court at on the 28th June 2018 where all three men pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the charges. The case has been adjourned until the 26th July for a case management hearing to be held at Harrogate Magistrates’ Court. The three defendants were represented by solicitor Stephen Welford.
The alleged offences are said to have been committed in Rougemont Carr Wood, North Yorkshire on Tuesday 21st November 2017.
The Badsworth and Bramham Moor Hounds were due to meet nearby on that same day.
The police investigation was conducted as a result of evidence provided by professional investigators employed by animal welfare charity League Against Cruel Sports.