Hunting horn used by Northamptonshire huntsman to order hounds to kill hare, handed into police
Equipment used by a huntsman, who pleaded guilty to tracking and a killing hare, has handed in his hunting horn to police.
Last week, halfway through his trial at Northampton Magistrates’ Court, Philip Saunders, 45, of Irchester, the huntsman of the Pipewell Foot Beagles admitted hunting a wild mammal with dogs – an offence under Section 1 of the Hunting Act 2004.
Evidence had been given to the court by an expert witness who analysed voice and horn commands given by Saunders heard on a video that recorded the incident.
As well as being ordered to pay fines and costs totalling £5,000, District Judge Amar Mehta issued a court order with Saunders’ hunting horn to be forfeited within 48 hours.
Prosecutor Mr Neil Sands had asked Judge Mehta to order the forfeiture of the hunting horn used by Saunders saying that the instrument was used in the demise of the protected animal.”
Northants Police took possession of the horn at the force’s Wootton Hall HQ.
A spokeswoman for Northants Police said: “I can confirm the horn was handed in the next morning (February 18).