Anti-fox-hunting protester seriously injured when she was struck by ‘reckless’ rider as she tried to sabotage hunt

AN anti fox-hunting campaigner was left with serious injuries after a "reckless" rider ploughed into her after a day of mounting tensions boiled over, a court heard.

Protester Nicola Lawson, 43, had seven broken ribs and a collapsed lung after she was struck by the horse which was running at about 15mph.

Peter Doggrell of the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hunt has been charged with GBH.

Tensions had been mounting throughout the day at various standoffs between the hunt group and the saboteurs.

The group had sprayed citronella along paths and lanes to break up the scent and stood in roadways to block riders.

A dashcam captured the incident on August 28, 2014.

It showed the alleged attack and when it was presented to the court, the prosecution said Doggrell had not stopped after hitting Nicola.

The court heard, shortly before 6pm a Landrover belonging to the five saboteur group members parked up to the left of a gateway to a field outside leafy village Charlton Horethorne, Somerset.

NHS worker Nicola and friend Martin Horritt got out of the car to block the field entrance and within seconds Doggrell - who was leading a children's hunt - is alleged to have ploughed into her.

Shell-shocked Nicola sustained horrific injuries and was in hospital for two weeks.

The jury of four men and eight women were played four video clips, and it showed a loud horn being sounded immediately prior to the collision.

Prosecuting, Mr Benson said animosity had been building as the two parties clashed.

He said: "In short there was an escalation of tension.

''It's not suggested by the prosecution that this defendant was directly involved in any violent or threatening conduct prior to the incident.

"It's suggested that he was aware of the presence of the saboteur group.

"There was no need for him to ride as hard as he did. Also, the background of the day is relevant, no doubt irritated by earlier events.

"He took it upon himself to frighten the protesters, rode as hard and close as he did. It was a reckless act.

"Doggrell did not stop and that in itself indicates he had no interest in the safety of the person struck, just as he had no interest in their safety as he approached."

Doggrell handed himself in at Yeovil police station two days later.

In a police interview Doggrell said he had 10-15 seconds of the vehicle being in view before striking the protester, who he claims never came into sight until it was too late.

He initially answered no comment during interview but provided a written statement after seeing the video footage taken by the protesters.

He said that he thought he may have clipped someone when he passed but it was "not enough to hurt them".

The trial at Taunton Crown Court continues.

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