Hunt Rider Jailed After Charging Protester and Causing Serious Injuries
On the morning of September 5, 2020, tension boiled over in Northamptonshire’s Sibbertoft area. The Pytchley Hunt clashed with protestors, leading to a shocking assault that left a man fighting for his life.
Chaos as Hunt Destroys Protestors’ Cameras
Hunt members smashed body cameras and camcorders held by the protestors before Christopher Mardles, 27, from Petworth, West Sussex, rode his horse directly into the crowd. The rider collided with a man in his 60s, sending him crashing to the ground.
Victim Seriously Injured and Airlifted to Hospital
The man suffered broken ribs, a broken collarbone, a split shoulder blade, and nerve damage. He was airlifted to hospital in critical condition. In a heartfelt victim statement, he said:
“I still keep playing that moment over in my head all the time. I thought I was going to die, I really did. I was out to campaign, but I didn’t ask for that, I didn’t deserve that. I can’t understand that he was so unconcerned, that he didn’t even look back. I keep seeing that moment and him just galloping on. I was screaming out in pain and they just carried on hunting.”
Rider Sentenced to 18 Months in Jail
Christopher Mardles pleaded guilty to Section 20 assault causing grievous bodily harm at a hearing in Nottingham Crown Court earlier this year. Yesterday, November 9, he was sentenced to 18 months behind bars for the brutal attack.
The case highlights growing tensions between hunt supporters and animal rights campaigners. This violent episode has left a mark on the local community and brought fresh scrutiny to controversial hunting practices.
