Hunt supporter spared jail after being caught on camera punching saboteur

Marc Birney, 43, was caught on camera as he punched a hunt saboteur in the face while he was sat in his car monitoring the Pytchley Hunt in Northants.

A thug who launched an unprovoked attack on a hunt saboteur, punching the victim in the face, has avoided a prison sentence. The assailant, Philip Walters, was keeping an eye on the historic Pytchley Hunt, which boasts over three centuries of tradition, when he was assaulted as he sat in his vehicle.

Marc Birney, 43, approached his car as the animal rights activists were observing the hunt and provocatively banged on the drivers side window, shouting: "Knock, knock! ". The saboteur rolled down his window only for Birney to grab his sunglasses and punch him twice on the side of his face.

The court was informed that Birney halted his attack when fellow campaigners from the North London Hunt Saboteurs intervened. Following the altercation, Birney returned to his black Ford Puma with two companions and left the area in Cottesbrook, Northants. , on March 18 the previous year.

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Mr Walters sustained minor injuries, and following police inquiries, Birney, from Pipewell, Northants. , faced an assault by beating charge. Despite pleading not guilty, Birney was found guilty after a trial at Northampton Magistrates Court on June 12.

In a hearing yesterday (Thurs), he was given a £300 fine, instructed to compensate the victim £200, and incurred additional costs totalling £320. On Friday, October 4,, a senior investigating officer from Northamptonshire Police characterised the judgement as a "disappointing" outcome.

PC Chloe Gillies of the Rural Crime Team commented: "I am pleased Marc Birney was found guilty of this offence at court as this type of behaviour is totally unacceptable and there is never an excuse to assault someone."

"Although the sentence is disappointing, I understand the limitations which resulted in it and I hope the victim in this case feels some sense of justice at Birney being convicted of his crime. This was an unprovoked attack on the victim and Birney is fortunate that his actions didn't have more serious consequences."

"Violence is not tolerated and as a Force, we will always pursue criminal action against any offender."

During the trial, Mr Walters gave evidence about the assault he experienced while observing the hunt on the season's final day.

He recounted: "I was parked up on the left hand side of the road sat in the driver's seat, listening to the radio. A car pulled up in front of us with a masked man. Mr Birney got out of the car."

"He walked around to the driver's door. He knocked on the window and said 'knock, knock'. He then knocked my wing mirror back. I wound the window down to move it back. He snatched my sunglasses off my head and made contact with my head."

"Then he punched me twice in my jaw, here, (pointing to the right hand side of his face). I felt a sharp pain and the area swelled up 24 hours afterwards."

A spokesperson for the North London Hunt Saboteurs was quoted following the outcome of the case: "We have this to say to Mr Birney; despite your lenient sentence today, we have won."

Celebrating their victory, they added: "We are happy to put you on our mantlepiece next to the other useful idiots we have secured convictions against."

The member also expressed gratitude: "Our member would like to thank our supporters and other saboteur groups we work with."

Undeterred by the incident, the group declared: "We will never be intimidated away from protecting defenceless animals by the likes of Marc Birney."

The statement concluded with a note on the hunt's history, stating: The Pytchley with Woodland Hunt traces its origins back to the 1700s and is based in the village of Brixworth.