11th March 2021
A Sherborne man has appeared in court to deny a Hunting Act offence in relation to the content of a webinar.
Mark Hankinson, of Sherborne, is accused of intentionally encouraging or assisting others to commit an offence under the Hunting Act 2004.
Hankinson, 60, is accused of advising huntsman on circumventing the foxhunting ban in leaked webinars held in August last year.
A director of the Masters of Foxhounds Association, Hankinson appeared at Westminster magistrates court on Tuesday (March 9).
Hankinson attended the court hearing virtually and pleaded not guilty.
Devon and Cornwall Police led the investigation on behalf of all UK forces after the content of the webinars on the theme of hunting was brought to their attention.
The court heard Hankinson could not be formally questioned by police due to restrictions in place amid the coronavirus pandemic.
He was instead sent a list of questions to answer.
The case has now been adjourned for a trial in September and Hankinson remains on unconditional bail.
https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/local-news/sherborne-hunting-chief-denies-giving-5127318
THIS DISGUSTING LIAR HANKINSON CANNOT GET AWAY WITH THIS IT WAS ALL OVER THE TV WHAT WAS SAIDABOUT PRETENDING TO TRAIL HUNT IF SABS WERE AROUND. THIS SCUM SHOUYLD GO TO JAIL HE A ALL THE REST OF THE MURDERING HUNTING BRIGADE ARE LIARS AND CHEATS AND BREAK THE LAW ALL THE TIME AND THEY MUST PAY FOR THEIR CRIMES. THE ONLY WAY THIS WILL BE SORTED IS TO BAN ALL HUNTING INCLUDING TRAIL NO HUNTING WHAT SO EVER AND THEN WHEN ANYBODY IS CAUGHT NO TRYING TO GET AWAY BY TELLING LIES.