This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/gloucestershire/8064189.stm
The article has changed 4 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 0 | Version 1 |
---|---|
Huntsman Ferry fined over dispute | Huntsman Ferry fined over dispute |
(20 minutes later) | |
Otis Ferry has been given a one-year conditional discharge for causing "fear, stress and upset" to a woman who tried to film him riding with a hunt. | Otis Ferry has been given a one-year conditional discharge for causing "fear, stress and upset" to a woman who tried to film him riding with a hunt. |
Ferry, 26, was freed with a £350 fine by Gloucester Crown Court, as he had already spent four months on remand. | |
The son of pop star Bryan was charged with affray and robbery after a dispute with hunt monitors near Stow-on-the-Wold, Gloucestershire in November 2007. | |
Ferry's not guilty pleas were accepted, as he admitted a public order offence. | Ferry's not guilty pleas were accepted, as he admitted a public order offence. |
Ferry, the joint master of the South Shropshire Hunt, denied robbing hunt monitors Helen Ghalmi and Susan Grima of a video camera, a sat-nav and a set of keys. | |
People have to peacefully co-exist no matter what their differing view and opinions Judge Martin Picton | People have to peacefully co-exist no matter what their differing view and opinions Judge Martin Picton |
Ferry, from Eaton Mascott in Shropshire, also denied charges of affray and assault relating to the same incident. | |
The dispute took place when he was a guest of the Heythrop Hunt, which covers Oxfordshire and Gloucestershire. | |
Defence barrister George Cox QC, told the court that Ferry's Jack Russell had been taken by anti-hunting protesters two weeks before the incident. | Defence barrister George Cox QC, told the court that Ferry's Jack Russell had been taken by anti-hunting protesters two weeks before the incident. |
Mr Cox blamed the "distressing" theft of the pet for Ferry's involvement in a "tug of war" for his victims' car keys. | Mr Cox blamed the "distressing" theft of the pet for Ferry's involvement in a "tug of war" for his victims' car keys. |
"Mr Ferry is somewhat in the public eye and a well-known supporter of hunting," he told the court. | "Mr Ferry is somewhat in the public eye and a well-known supporter of hunting," he told the court. |
"He is therefore often the subject of attention from those who disagree with hunting on principle." | "He is therefore often the subject of attention from those who disagree with hunting on principle." |
No comment | No comment |
Mr Cox also told the court that Ferry had already spent four months as a remand prisoner on a charge of intimidating a witness in the case. That charge was later dropped. | Mr Cox also told the court that Ferry had already spent four months as a remand prisoner on a charge of intimidating a witness in the case. That charge was later dropped. |
Sentencing Ferry, Judge Martin Picton said: "Those who object to hunting are entitled to go about that process of objection lawfully, just as much as someone engaged in hunting is entitled to practise it in a lawful way. | Sentencing Ferry, Judge Martin Picton said: "Those who object to hunting are entitled to go about that process of objection lawfully, just as much as someone engaged in hunting is entitled to practise it in a lawful way. |
"People have to peacefully co-exist no matter what their differing view and opinions." | "People have to peacefully co-exist no matter what their differing view and opinions." |
Fellow hunt supporter John Deutsch, 55, was also fined £350 after admitting affray. Both men were ordered to pay £100 costs. | Fellow hunt supporter John Deutsch, 55, was also fined £350 after admitting affray. Both men were ordered to pay £100 costs. |
After the case, which was held at Cirencester Magistrates' Court, sitting as Gloucester Crown Court, Ferry declined to comment. | After the case, which was held at Cirencester Magistrates' Court, sitting as Gloucester Crown Court, Ferry declined to comment. |