Three people have been charged with fox hunting after secret filming near Swindon.
Duncan Drewett and Verity Drewett, along with Vale of White Horse hunt master Lady Sophie Scruton, appeared at Swindon Magistrates’ Court today (Monday 26 September).
The trio all face a charge of hunting a fox with dogs, whilst the Drewetts are also charged with knowingly permitting land to be used for hunting a wild mammal with dogs.
The evidence the Crown Prosecution Service rely on is footage captured by covert cameras in the vicinity of their home address – Rickyard Barn, Bentham Lane, Purton – on 5 January this year.
Duncan Drewett, 54, is accused of actively seeking out a fox for the hunt, whilst Verity Drewett, 43, allegedly points out a fox to the hunt as she turns it away from a barn on her land.
Lady Scruton, 50, is accused of little involvement but was the hunt master on the day of the incident – which is alleged to have taken place on land owned by Verity Drewett and her father.
All three defendants pleaded not guilty to all offences and a trial date was set for 20 March 2023 at the same court. They were released on unconditional bail.
