A ‘sadistic’ huntsman who baited a petrified fox cub with a dog has been spared prison.
Oliver Thompson, formerly of the Old Berkshire Hunt, was filmed removing a young fox from a trap and repeatedly putting it in close proximity to a terrier named Nelly in July 2020.
The video – filmed near Melksham – was leaked and the RSPCA successfully prosecuted the defendant, of Little Coxwell, Faringdon, for causing unnecessary suffering to an animal.
The 32-year-old pleaded guilty to the offence at Swindon Magistrates’ Court, and appeared for sentencing on Monday (11 December).
He also admitted second charge of causing unnecessary suffering to an animal – which involved throwing a fox to a pack of hounds on Christmas Eve 2020.
Thompson was handed a 20-week prison sentence suspended for two years. Magistrates described his offending as “sadistic behaviour” in which he had a “leading role”.
He was also told to complete 300 hours of unpaid work and pay prosecution costs of £2,500.
No dog ban was imposed but the court ordered Thompson to hand Nelly the terrier over to the RSCPA. It’s not known if the dog will be re-homed or put to sleep.
His wife Felicity Thompson – who had allegedly filmed him manhandling the fox cub – was also charged. However, prosecutors offered no evidence and the case was dismissed.
After the footage was leaked, the British Hound Sports Association said it had suspended Oliver Thompson pending further investigation. but he subsequently resigned from the Old Berkshire Hunt.
A spokesperson for the Hunt Saboteurs Association said that it was “no surprise for us to learn about the latest incident of animal cruelty”.
They added: “These two new offences pre-date, but are in addition to the recent court case of Stuart Radbourne and whipper-in Aaron Fookes who were also sentenced Hunting Act and Animal Welfare Act offences, when they also threw a fox to the hounds in Brokerswood in December 2022.
“Hunt Saboteurs are out in the fields, week in week out and witness the cruelty at every hunt we attend. The next government must act and close down the smokescreen of trail hunting for good.”
