18th February 2026
A Northamptonshire huntsman changed his plea to guilty halfway through his trial today (February 17) where he and a colleague were facing charges for killing a hare with hounds.
Huntsman Philip Saunders, 45, of Irchester, had been charged with hunting a wild mammal with dogs under Section 1 of the Hunting Act 2005 alongside colleague and fellow director of Pipewell Foot Beagles Ltd Rachael Lenton, 42, of Raunds.
Yesterday, Saunders repeatedly denied he had been hunting on the Boughton Estate near Kettering and that he had simply been ‘exercising’ the pack of hounds on January 25, last year.
Video evidence played to the court and analysed showed the Pipewell Foot Beagles directors walking across arable fields with a pack of hounds.
When court resumed, District Judge Amar Mehta was told that Saunders had changed his plea.
After the charges were read out to him again, the huntsman pleaded guilty to hunting a wild mammal with dogs under Section 1 of the Hunting Act 2005.
Not guilty verdicts were then recorded for Ms Lenton and Pipewell Foot Beagles Ltd.
Prosecuting counsel Neil Sands said: “It is accepted by Saunders that he was involved in the hunting of a protected animal.
“It is clear that the hounds were in that field and that he said ‘get on it, get after it’ – they are unambiguous statements. He was ordering the hounds to attack the hare.
“He now accepts that that dogs were under his supervision.”
As part of the sentence Mr Sands asked Judge Mehta to order the forfeiture of the hunting horn used by Saunders on the day of the killing.
Mr Sands said: “The Crown seeks forfeiture of the hunting horn. That might seem a petty action but that instrument was used in the demise of the protected animal – a hare.
“The hunting community should understand there are consequences to their actions.”
In mitigation Mr Welford said Saunders was of ‘previous good character’ and his loss of good character was ‘significant to him’.
Sentencing Saunders, Judge Mehta said: “He ordered hounds to ‘get on it’ and he ordered the hounds to attack the hare.
“This was an intentional order by the defendant to attack the hare. His culpability is high. The harm caused is high because the hare was killed.
“A very strong message must go out to everyone involved in this activity. The public will not stand for this. I can give no credit for pleading guilty.
“He is a man of previous good character, and I take that into account.”
Fining Saunders £1,000 for the offence, he was ordered to pay £3,600 costs and a £500 victim surcharge.
Judge Mehta added: “I order the destruction of the hunting horn involved in this offence. Mr Saunders you must surrender it to the police by 5pm on February 19.”
After hearing the verdict Emma Reed, who had filmed the attack and whose video was used in the evidence, said she was pleased by the outcome.
She said: “I am pleased with the guilty verdict as justice has been served. The judge was strong in his summing up of sending a message to the hunting community that these illegal actions will not be tolerated and are totally unacceptable.
Pipewell Foot Beagles Ltd is based at Pytchley Hunt Kennels in Station Road, Brixworth.
Not only breaking the law but the biggest liars on the planet why don’t the government just close down all these kennels and rehome the dogs the only reason these poorly treated dogs are kept is to murder wild life which is illegal so time this useless government did something. Kier Starmer is just to week we need somebody in power that is strong and stands up for animal welfare (NOT FARARGE)