RJ Hamster
Convicted fox hunter leaves court saying “I’m going hunting…
Forwarded this email? Subscribe here for more
Convicted fox hunter leaves court saying “I’m going hunting now.”
APR 30
∙
GUEST POSTREAD IN APP
On Monday 20 April, huntsman Wayne Greggory of Somerset’s Vale of Taunton & Banwell Harriers was convicted of an offence under the Hunting Act 2004 after Somerset Sabs filmed the Hunt chasing a fox last November.
The conviction of Greggory comes just a month after Nathan Goulding and Toby Flemming were found guilty of assaults against wildlife defenders and Philip Saunders of the Pipewell Foot Beagles was convicted of breaching Section 1 of the Hunting Act by encouraging his dogs to kill a hare.
Greggory pleaded guilty during his first appearance at Taunton Magistrates Court and was fined £250. He was ordered to pay a £100 victim surcharge and £80 court costs. Sadly, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) dropped charges against Hunt Master Ross Cordery and terrierman James Parish just days before the court hearing.
The arrogant huntsman taunted wildlife defenders as he left the court. Greggory was caught on camera saying, unrepentantly: “I’m going hunting now anyway”, probably referring to his intention to head to the Quantock Hills to go stag hunting.
The Southwest of England’s handful of remaining stag hunts have already killed dozens of stags this year, utilising loopholes in the Hunting Act 2004 – including the ‘Research & Observation’ exemption.
Hunting Act not fit for purpose
Greggory – clearly not bothered by his conviction – quipped to wildlife defenders:
“Not too bad for me, was it?”
This year marks two concurrent hunting ‘seasons’ that the Vale of Taunton & Banwell Harriers have ended up in court. Last year, Guy Landau of the Harriers was convicted after being caught on camera by SHS and Mendip Hunt Saboteurs blatantly hunting fox cubs.
The charges were brought against Greggory, Cordery and Parish by Avon & Somerset Police Rural Crime Team after Somerset Sabs’ drone recorded the hunt chasing a fox at Chilton Trinity on 26 November last year.
Blatant hunting at Devon’s Chilton Trinity on 26 November 2026 – this drone footage from Somerset Sabs was shown on BBC News.
The Sabs’ footage showed Greggory leading his hounds around scrub, then encouraging them onto the line of a fox. “By some miracle the fox made a huge leap across a ditch and evaded the hounds. But they were seconds behind and no one called them off,” they wrote.
Hats off to Somerset Sabs for obtaining the footage that secured the conviction. However, privileged fox hunters are unlikely to be deterred by having to pay a court bill of less than five hundred pounds. A fact that is graphically illustrated by Greggory’s arrogant posturing as he left court.
Obtaining evidence is a constant struggle
Obtaining evidence that leads to a conviction is notoriously hard to do. The Sabs wrote on their Facebook page:
“This season [he Vale of Taunton & Banwell Harriers] were out hunting illegally fifty times and we only met the benchmark for evidence twice.”
They continued:
“Hunt Sabs go to great lengths to gather evidence to enable the police to charge offenders. And it’s blatantly clear to everyone that the hunting act in its present form is failing and we demand once and for all a total ban. No exemptions, no more smokescreens.”
Protect the Wild caught up with Somerset Sabs to ask what they thought about the case. They told us:
“We were all disappointed that the CPS dropped the charges for the other two, Parish and Cordery, as they were all actively hunting that day. The prosecution in court was extremely weak. We work hard to collect evidence multiple times a week but the benchmark set by the current legislation is hard to reach. We’re still hoping to see Wayne Greggory in court again in relation to another hunting incident during the 25/26 season where hopefully he’ll receive a harsher and more deserved punishment. This is the second season in a row this hunt has had a huntsman prosecuted.”
Groups like Somerset Sabs do all that they can to document wildlife crimes committed by hunters. However, crimes against animals are not taken seriously by either the police, the CPS or the courts themselves. It’s left to the UK’s sabs and monitors to continue doing everything they can, week in week out, to protect our wildlife.
‘Paltry fine’ unlikely to deter privileged hunters
The Hunt Saboteurs Association (HSA) wrote:
“While obtaining this evidence, getting to it to court and securing a guilty plea is a fantastic achievement by Somerset Hunt Sabs, they would be the first to acknowledge that such a paltry fine is no deterrent at all for determined and committed hunters like Greggory.”
The HSA went on:
“This kind of arrogant behaviour is precisely why the Hunt Saboteurs Association is calling for Hunting Act offenses to be aligned with those of the Animal Welfare Act 2006. This would mean hunters facing prison sentences and the forfeiture of animals and equipment.”
‘This is not a deterrent, it’s a joke’
Rob Pownall of Protect the Wild reacted with disgust at Greggory’s behaviour. He said:
“I’m not even surprised anymore.
Another case showing that the current law does absolutely nothing to stop people hunting and killing animals for fun.
This man has just been convicted in court… and within minutes he’s outside joking about going hunting again. That tells you everything you need to know.
This isn’t a deterrent. It’s a joke. And it’s exactly why we need a stronger, properly enforced ban on hunting.”
Nine weeks left to have your say in the public consultation
We know that the direct action of the UK’s wildlife defenders is what really keeps our wildlife safe. However, right now the most important thing you can do is fill out the government consultation on banning ‘trail hunting’ before 18 June.
Protect the Wild has published detailed guidance for people submitting their answers. Please take a few minutes to submit your responses and help ensure that the new legislation is free from loopholes and exemptions.
On top of that:
- Why not join your local sab group.
- Check out Protect the Wild’s Page on ‘Foxes and the Law’.
- To support Somerset Sabs’ efforts please use this link.
- The League Against Cruel Sports and several other organisations are coming together to demonstrate in central London on 9 May 2026 in support of a ‘trail hunting’ ban. Protect the Wild will be there too. Put the date in your diary.
Many thanks to the amazing Somerset Sabs for permission to use their pictures and video.
A guest post byTom Anderson
Journalist for Protect the Wild
Subscribe to TomLIKECOMMENTRESTACK
