AN ‘ANIMAL LOVING’ hunt saboteur was given a conditional 12-month discharge and fined costs of £350, following an incident in which he was seen whipping hounds and disrupting the hunt.

On 19 November 2003 at Stratford Saye, David Davis was spraying and whipping hounds, hollowing and generally disrupting the Vale of Aylesbury with Garth and South Berks Hunt.

Police reacted swiftly to arrest and charge Davis, a regular hunt saboteur. He was found guilty on 19 October 2004 of obstructing/disrupting a person taking part in a lawful activity.

Alan Hill, from the VAGSB said: "This is very good news. Our battle with the unlawful activity of hunt saboteurs is ongoing, but even a small result, which is thanks to the monitors and all those who help to uncover illegal sabbing activity, makes their hard work worthwhile."