Huntsman 'punched' video monitor

Kevin Hill says he was knocked backwards in the attack

A Devon huntsman punched and kicked an anti-hunt monitor, leaving the victim with blood running down his face, a court has been told.

Kevin Hill, from Dorset, was filming the Devon and Somerset Staghounds on Exmoor last October when Christopher Marles asked him why he was filming.

Mr Marles tried to grab the camera and when Mr Hill refused he punched him repeatedly, Exeter Crown Court heard.

Mr Marles, 45, of Farringdon, Exeter, denies assault.

I was crouching down trying to protect the camera Kevin Hill

The court was told Mr Hill was standing alone on a road at Slade Hill on Exmoor when Mr Marles deliberately walked into him.

He questioned why he was filming and tried to take both the camera and a radio Mr Hill had.

The jury saw 17 minutes of video footage, which showed Mr Marles confronting Mr Hill and then someone trying to take the camera from him, although at this stage the lens was pointing to the road and did not show the attacker.

Mr Hill, 56, of Beaminster, told the court it was Mr Marles attacking him.

He said: "He was trying to get the camera - I was pleading for someone to stop him.

"I was crouching down trying to protect the camera.

"He just started punching me. It was very painful, it knocked me backwards.

"On one occasion I saw his foot lift up, I am not sure whether he kneed me or kicked me but it was a tremendous blow.

"I was very frightened."

Mr Marles says it was a case of mistaken identity.

The case continues.