Cecil the lion: case against hunt leader should be thrown out, court told

Lawyers for Theo Bronkhorst argue circumstances surrounding death of famous 13-year-old big cat do not constitute a chargeable offence

The case against a professional hunter who helped an American dentist kill a popular lion in Zimbabwe should be thrown out of court, his lawyers have argued.

Theo Bronkhorst, 52, is charged with "failing to prevent an illegal hunt" when Walter Palmer paid $55,000 (35,000) to shoot the lion, known as Cecil, with a bow and arrow in early July. He faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted.