Fox hunt master in court

A man accused of breaking Scotland's new anti-hunting laws has appeared in court.

Trevor Adams, Master of the Buccleuch Hunt, had his case continued without plea at Jedburgh Sheriff Court.

Mr Adams, 45, from Eildon, near Melrose, is charged under the Protection of Wild Mammals Act.

He is alleged to have deliberately hunted a fox with 20 dogs at Courthill, Kelso, on 16 October last year.

The case is due to call again on 29 May.

Former Master of the Jedforest Hunt Rory Innes faces a similar charge after a separate incident.

Scotland became the first part of the UK to ban mounted hunting with hounds, effectively outlawing fox-hunting, fox-baiting and hare coursing.

The court cases will be a significant test of the new legislation, which came into effect last August.