Two men have been found guilty of illegally hunting a fox with dogs following a trial.

They have been landed with a court bill totalling £2,470.

Thomas Michael Lyle, 34, and Marcus Boundy, 22, were convicted of hunting a fox with dogs in Stourpaine on September 15, 2022, as part of the Blandford-based Portman Hunt.

They denied the charge in a trial which began on Monday, September 16, at Weymouth Magistrates Court.

The defendants had claimed their activities were a trail hunt, a legal form of hunting activity, where foxhounds follow a pre-laid trail.

Read more: Foxhunting charge dropped against former Portman Hunt master

Magistrates heard that during the trail hunt, a live fox was chased by the dogs. The defendants, of Blandford, had argued that the chasing of the fox was unintentional and unplanned.

The prosecution said that the hunting "became illegal, if not intended to be".

Adam Cooper, prosecuting, said: “The defendants say that at no time did they intentionally hunt a wild mammal with a dog.

“They say the pursuit was accidental, unintentional or they were unaware.

“Mr Lyle was the Master of the Portman Hunt on the day in question and had ultimate control of the dogs.

“Mr Boundy was the whipper-in, employed by the hunt and responsible for control of the hunt."

Stephen Welford, defending, said that Lyle and Boundy had been unaware of the fox, and were of previous good character.

Ben Tibbles and Emma Parsons, of the North Dorset Hunt Saboteurs Group, gave evidence in court including showing drone and handheld camera footage.

Mr Tibbles’ video showed the defendants and foxhounds running through a fence line into a woodland.

In one of Ms Parsons’ videos, a fox is seen running away from the woodland.

Following two hours of deliberation today, magistrates said that it was 'inconceivable' that the two defendants were unaware of the fox, and should have acted to stop the hunt.

The chair of the bench said: "This is a trial; that has taken place over three days and run its court, to say the least.

"We believe both were aware that a fox was being pursued and it was intentional.

"They did nothing to call off the dogs, which was their duty."

Lyle was fined £900 and must pay a surcharge of £360 and court costs of £400.

Boundy was fined £400 and must pay a surcharge of £160 and court costs of £250.