Video shows the moment Barlow Hunt master uses horse to threaten saboteurs in New Year's Day incident near Chesterfield

Christopher White appeared before Chesterfield Magistrates’ Court on Friday, October 9, where he admitted one count of using threatening words and behaviour.

Video evidence shows White, aged 53, of Fox Lane, Holmesford, Dronfield, riding his horse at campaigners - one of whom had to flee over a fence. White is then seen to dismount and hurl abuse at the protester and shout at and push another.

The video was later handed to Derbyshire Police, who were present at the incident on January 1 this year, and a prosecution was mounted.

White was given a conditional discharge and ordered to pay £106 in prosecution costs and a £21 victim surcharge, following the incident which took place in the Cutthorpe area, near Chesterfield.

It is not the first time the Barlow Hunt has been in hot water.

Earlier this year, Sheffield judge and hunt chairman Mark Davies, 67, was found not guilty of assaulting members of the Sheffield Hunt Saboteurs group after a two-day trial.

It had been alleged that Mr Davis, of Lumb Lane, Bradfield, had assaulted two campaigners in a private field at Highlightley Farm, Barlow, on New Year’s Day the previous year.

During the second day of evidence on January 8 this year at Chesterfield Magistrates’ Court, Mr Davies said that it was he who had been attacked by the protesters, with one smashing him in the face with a canister, knocking him to the floor and cutting his face.

He said that he had then ‘rugby tackled’ another member of the group to the floor when he got to his feet, because he was acting in self defence and felt that both he and his wife - Joan Williams, a retired Superintendent with South Yorkshire Police - were in danger of attack.

The video also showed Mrs Williams, who had her arm in a sling at the time, being pushed to the ground.

In a statement on its Facebook page, the Sheffield Hunt Saboteurs called on Derbyshire Police to take more proactive action against hunters trying to illegally kill foxes.

Editor’s message: In these confusing and worrying times, local journalism is more vital than ever. Thanks to everyone who helps us ask the questions that matter by taking out a subscription or buying a paper. We stand together. Nancy Fielder, editor.