'Defects' in hunt's court action

The hunt is seeking an injunction to ban monitors entering private land

A hunt seeking a High Court injunction to stop animal activists entering acres of Sussex land have had two aspects of its action ruled out of order.

The judge said there were "fundamental defects" in Crawley and Horsham hunt's case as set out on paper.

He said it could not seek an order banning trespass and nuisance because the claims were not specific enough.

The hunt will now have to prove that there has been a case of harassment in the past, a claim hunt monitors deny.

The defendants, West Sussex Wildlife Protection Group and Simon and Jaine Wilde, of Bognor Regis, have also said that even if they were guilty of harassment it would be justified because their actions were carried out in order to prevent a crime.

They claim the hunt has repeatedly breached the ban on hunting with dogs under the Hunting Act.

The Crawley and Horsham Hunt says it has been operating within the law since the ban came into force and it is seeking an injunction to ban hunt monitors entering acres of private estate and farmland.

The hearing continues.