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Man charged over hunting webinar

Accused of encouraging others to offend

A 60-year-old Dorset man has been charged with an alleged Hunting Act offence following an investigation by Devon and Cornwall Police into online webinars last August.  

Mark Hankinson who is a director of the Masters of Foxhounds Association, will appear before Plymouth Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 4 March.

Mr Hankinson, who lives in Sherborne, is charged with intentionally encouraging or assisting others to commit an offence under the Hunting Act 2004, contrary to Section 44 of the Serious Crimes Act 2007.

An investigation was launched after the content of webinars on the theme of hunting, held on 11 and 13 August 2020, was brought to the attention of police. Devon and Cornwall Police has led the investigation on behalf of all UK forces.

The Hunt Saboteurs' Association, which released a video of the webinar in November, sent DVD copies and transcripts to all police forces in the country, initiating the criminal investigation.

The League Against Cruel Sports describes itself as the official complainant in the case. They want more people charged and are asking the Crown Prosecution Service for a meeting.

Police have reminded people that Mr Hankinson has yet to answer to the charges in court and they should not speculate on social media.

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