Police forces are spending hundreds of thousands of pounds pursuing a ‘witch hunt’ against countryside enthusiasts in cases which fall apart in court, campaigners have claimed.
An analysis by the British Hound Sports Association has revealed 15 criminal prosecutions brought against 25 rural workers, farmers and hunt volunteers have collapsed or ended with an acquittal in the last six years.
Many are waiting many months – or even years – on bail for alleged hunting and countryside offences which are eventually withdrawn or fail to proceed to a full trial.
Its analysis shows nine cases were discontinued or withdrawn by the Crown Prosecution
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