Northumberland hunting case ‘a waste of money’

Aug 14 2009 by Brian Daniel, The Journal

A NORTH East huntsman who walked free from court after the case against him collapsed, last night said it should never have been brought.

Robert McCarthy, huntsman with the Alnwick-based Percy Hunt, which has links to the Duke of Northumberland, said the prosecution against him for illegal hunting had been a waste of time and public money.

The case was dismissed mid-trial due to insufficient evidence.

Mr McCarthy, 35, of The Kennels, Canongate, Alnwick, also spoke of the stress the proceedings placed on him and his staff since his arrest the week before Christmas last year.

The Countryside Alliance said the case, which was the first prosecution of a huntsman in the Northumbria area under the Hunting Act 2004 since it came into force, left the law “in tatters,” called it unenforceable and demanded it be repealed.

Mr McCarthy told The Journal: “I am just disappointed it ever got this far. It never should have got to the court.

“We have been hunting perfectly legitimately since the ban came in.

“I would like to know who is going to foot the bill. A helicopter has been put up and I just think a hell of a lot of money has been wasted.” Mr McCarthy also thanked his staff for its tremendous support.

“We are professional people doing a professional job and we should not have to go through this,” he said.