Hunt protesters get police payout

international | animal rights | other press Tuesday September 08, 2009 15:03 by Dorothy Gale

The cops who as usual took the side of the Hunt went a tad too far this time and have ended up coughing up a tidy sum to rhe Hunt Sabs. This will help in future anti Hunt activities. Full story at link.

Eleven anti-hunt protesters have been given a total of £38,300 in damages from Derbyshire Police.The force made the out-of-court settlement after admitting its policing of a demonstration in January 2008 was heavy handed. Lawyers said protesters had been wrongfully arrested and imprisoned after they had peacefully followed the Meynell and South Staffordshire Hunt.

No charges were brought against the Hunt Saboteurs Association members.

They had been following a few fields behind the hunt. Police vans and the force helicopter were sent to the hunt, which goes through Ashbourne, after the protesters were seen. They were chased by police and arrested before each protester was handcuffed to another and forced to walk across several fields, the solicitor said.

The protesters were held at Derby police station overnight, interviewed and released on bail.