Fine for man who pleaded guilty to hunting

A man has been fined after pleading guilty to hunting a wild mammal with dogs.

Wayne Greggory, 48, from Huish Champflower, had been charged under the Hunting Act 2004, following a hunt in Somerset in November 2025.

Two other men, charged along with Greggory, have since had their cases discontinued.

Greggory was fined £250 based on his income and was ordered to pay £185 in costs at Taunton Magistrates' Court earlier.

The magistrates, Sarah Glazebrook, Nicola Hughes and Teresa Jones, said Greggory was a "man of previous good character" and had pleaded guilty early on, meaning his original fine of £375 had been reduced.

The charges followed an investigation by Avon and Somerset Police into a planned event by The Vale of Taunton and Banwell Harriers Hunt in Chilton Trinity on 26 November.

Emma Slawinski, chief executive of the League Against Cruel Sports (LACS), said she welcomed the police investigation "which comes as the government holds a consultation to ban trail hunting, the excuse often used to conceal the chasing and killing of foxes".

"This paltry fine highlights why we need stronger hunting laws which includes the option of custodial sentences for the courts in order to act as an effective deterrent to prevent foxes from being hunted in our countryside," she added.

Slawinksi said the LACS were also encouraging the public to take part in the government consultation and was calling for stronger fox hunting laws.

Follow BBC Somerset on Facebook and X. Send your story ideas to us on email or via WhatsApp on 0800 313 4630.