A fox hunt supporter today (Monday) denied allegat

A fox hunt supporter today (Monday) denied allegations
that he committed acts of violence towards hunt saboteurs on the
last day of the season last year.

Essex Farmers and Union Hunt follower Jeremy Hickman,
24, said he never intended or in fact used violent tactics against
saboteurs at Edwin’s Hall Farm, South Woodham Ferrers, near
Chelmsford, Essex, on April 8, last year.

He claimed saboteurs deliberately provoked hunt
supporters and photographed their reactions for ‘publicity
purposes’.

‘They (saboteurs) like to wind people up so they retaliate
back and then photograph them for their own publicity,’ he said.

The defendant said he saw six or seven saboteurs armed
with sticks running toward co-defendants Roger Wakefield, 40,
and Bryn Chittenden, 27, standing by their Land Rover, in a field.

Hickman, of Thornborogh Avenue, South Woodham Ferrers,
boarded his scrambler motorcycle and headed for the field to
protect his two friends, Knightsbridge Crown Court heard.

‘I rode up to one or two saboteurs and told them it was
private property and to return to the public footpath or leave
the field immediately,’ Hickman told the jury.

He admitted driving ‘towards’ the saboteurs but denied
trying to run them over or kick them as he drove past.

‘I sometimes stick my leg out as a stabiliser when I’m
turning,’ he said
Hickman said one or two saboteurs hit Wakefield’s Land
Rover with sticks.

Saboteur Gary Robinson, whom he knew from previous hunts,
threatened him with a stick, he claimed.

‘As I drove towards him he waved his stick at me and said:
‘If you’re brave enough come and take some of this’.

‘
Asked by his defence counsel Mr Davud Williams if he ‘ever
engaged in violence with these people (the saboteurs), Hickman
replied: ‘No, never.

‘
The blonde-haired defendant, wearing a suit and tie and
speaking in a loud, clear voice, told the court saboteurs’
behaviour on previous hunts had been ‘atrocious’.

‘I have no hate for them (saboteurs),’ Hickman said.

‘Everyone has a right to free speech.

I happen to disagree
with the way they protest.

‘
Hickman, Wakefield and Chittenden all deny violent
disorder.

Wakefield, of Mundon Road, Mundon, Essex, and Chittenden,
of Priory Road, Bicknacre, Essex, also both deny affray.

Wakefield denies attempting to inflict grievous bodily harm
on Gary Robinson.

Chittenden denies criminal damage.

Wakefield has admitted criminal damage relating to smashing
the windows of a saboteur van with a wooden post and faces sentencing
after the trial.

The case continues.

ends
Note: Jury expected to go out on Wednesday or Thursday this week.

ends note.

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