Court outcomes secured following hunting and hunt-related offences in Devon
Two men have been sentenced following offences linked to hunt activity in Devon, including the illegal hunting of a fox with dogs and incidents involving careless driving and disorderly behaviour towards hunt monitors.
Jason Marles, aged 44, from Chulmleigh, appeared before Exeter Magistrates' Court on Wednesday 23 September where he pleaded guilty to hunting a wild mammal with dogs.
The court heard that on Boxing Day 2025, Marles, an employee of the Eggesford Hunt, was observed with hounds in the Pudson Farm area near Okehampton.
Evidence included drone footage which captured a fox fleeing the area and being pursued by hounds. The court heard that no attempt was made to call the dogs away from the fox.
Marles was ordered to pay a £500 fine, and £285 in costs.
During the same hearing, Thomas Bounsall, aged 32, from Princetown, was sentenced after admitting offences of careless driving and intentional disorderly behaviour relating to two separate incidents involving hunt monitors in Devon.
The court heard that in November 2025, Bounsall reversed a quad bike into a busy roadway during a hunt meeting at Chulmleigh Beacon. Footage showed the vehicle striking a woman's hand, causing soreness.
In a separate incident in January 2026, Bounsall was captured on video driving a quad bike close to a man before engaging in a verbal confrontation with him during a hunt event connected to the Eggesford Hunt.
Bounsall was fined a total of £2,185 including associated court costs.
Sergeant Tom Ottley said: "With the start of the hunting season approaching, we recognise that hunting is an emotive issue which can generate strong feelings within the community.
"Devon & Cornwall Police takes all reports of suspected illegal hunting seriously and we will investigate offences where evidence is available.
"If you witness live illegal hunting activity taking place, please report it to us immediately by calling 999 and, where it is safe to do so, we would also encourage people to capture footage or other evidence which may assist any subsequent investigation.
"We would always remind members of the public not to place themselves at risk while gathering evidence."
A hunting charge against a third individual was withdrawn by the Crown Prosecution Service.
Anyone who has witnessed illegal hunting activity or anti-social behaviour (such as trespass, harassment or hounds out of control) is encouraged to report it to Police by filling in a form on the force website or by calling 101.
If a crime is happening now, always call 999.