Huntsman Jailed After Animal Rights Activist Seriously Injured

A huntsman has been jailed for 18 months after his horse trampled an animal rights activist near Sibbertoft – leaving him seriously injured.

Mel Broughton was airlifted to hospital with a collapsed lung, broken ribs, broken collar bone and split shoulder blade, following the incident in fields on September 5th 2020.

The 63-year-old was part of a contingent from the Northants Hunt Saboteurs group monitoring the Pytchley with Woodland Hunt, when Christopher Mardles rode his horse in their direction, colliding with him.

It followed an altercation, whereby body cameras and camcorders held by the activists were damaged by members of the hunt.

Mardles, 27, previously of Petworth, West Sussex, was sentenced at Nottingham Crown Court yesterday, after pleading guilty to Section 20 inflicting grievous bodily harm.

Mel being attended to by medical teams following the incident  (pic Northants Hunt Saboteurs) & Christopher Mardles (pic Northants Police)

Mr Broughton from Northampton also suffered nerve damage in the incident and is continuing to recover.

In a victim personal statement, he said: “I still keep playing that moment over in my head all the time.

“I thought I was going to die, I really did. I was out to campaign, but I didn’t ask for that, I didn’t deserve that.

“I can’t understand that he was so unconcerned, that he didn’t even look back. I keep seeing that moment and him just galloping on. I was screaming out in pain and they just carried on hunting.”

An Air Ambulance team was called to the scene of the incident (pic Northants Hunt Saboteurs)

Police have welcomed the sentence handed down to Mardles, a former member of the Pytchley with Woodland Hunt.

Lead investigator DC Craig Copeland, of Northamptonshire Police, said: “I welcome the sentence handed out to Mardles today as his reckless actions that day could have had fatal consequences.

“The injuries he left this man with were extensive and he continues on his journey to recovery. I would like to thank him for his support during our investigation and I hope today will give him some much-needed closure.

“This was quite a unique case to investigate however I hope it goes to show that Northamptonshire Police are equipped to deal with all kinds of incidents and will ensure justice is served whatever the circumstances.”

Speaking to HFM after the sentencing, a spokesperson for Northants Hunt Saboteurs said: “We would like to think that today’s victory and the hard work we have put into pursuing this case can now set a serious precedent for the future, so that if we are to see more brutal violence handed out to saboteurs across the country then this outcome can play its part in holding the law to account.”