Foxhound body director ‘encouraged’ illegal fox hunts, court hears

Prosecution says Mark Hankinson gave advice on how to use trail hunting as a smokescreen'

The director of the body representing foxhound packs encouraged members to use trail hunting, where horseback riders with dogs follow trails laid with scent in advance, as a smokescreen" for illegal foxhunting, a court has heard.

Mark Hankinson, the director of the Masters of Foxhounds Association and an employee of the Hunting Office, appeared at Westminster magistrates court on Monday charged with encouraging or assisting others to commit an offence because of his comments.