A HUNTSMAN has spoken of his relief after he was cleared of hurling racial abuse at an anti-hunt demonstrator.

David Lee Peters, master of the Ross Harriers Hunt, had been found guilty of using a racist term during a hunt at the Pennyfarthing Inn at Aston Crews in January last year.

He was fined a total of £720, ordered to pay Ms Hassan £200 compensation and £2,000 in court costs after being found guilty following a trial at Hereford Magistrates’ Court in November.

But a panel of judges overturned the verdict at Worcester Crown Court on Tuesday after concluding that there were inconsistencies in the story, which meant there was reasonable doubt.

“I am relieved that justice has been done, because it should have been done firstly at Hereford Magistrates’ Court,” said Mr Peters, of Castle Brook Kennels, Coughton.

For the full story, see this week's Hereford Times.