Man is fined over killing of fox

One fox died, another escaped the attack

A Borders forestry worker has become the second person to be convicted under Scotland's fox-hunting legislation.

Stephen Scott, 20, was fined £300 at Jedburgh Sheriff Court.

Only one other prosecution has been successful under the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act since it was passed in the year 2000.

Scott had pleaded guilty to sending a lurcher and two terriers into a fox's den near his home town of Hawick last January.

His two co-accused, brothers Ian and Paul Marshall, both walked free after prosecutor Graham Fraser accepted not guilty pleas.

The court was told that two foxes had fled the den at Flex Farm but one was caught and killed by the lurcher.

Sheriff Kevin Drummond had to clarify several points of the act with prosecutors before retiring to deliberate.

Sentencing Scott, he said parliament had provided the court with the option of jailing him for up to six months but as he was a first offender a fine of £300 was more appropriate.

The previous successful prosecution under the new act was in Tayside earlier this year.

Speaking after the sentence, Lothian and Borders Police wildlife officer Mark Rafferty admitted he was disappointed with the outcome of the case.

But he insisted that the force would continue to prosecute anyone who breaches the act.