Royal Artillery Hunt Prosecution discontinued due to legal technicality after plea hearing

The request was partially successful.

Dear Her Majesty's Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate,

After providing irrefutable evidence of illegal fox hunting by Charles Carter of the Royal Artillery Hunt at their opening meet at Larkhill on 30th October 2021 the CPS made the decision to prosecute. Carter went to Swindon Magistrates Court for his plea hearing on 1st June and 16th June but was not heard, I understand due to backlog of cases on each day.

However, now, the case has been discontinued due to a 'legal technicality'! In the spirit of transparency and credibility please will you provide the following details, if not sharing please explain why as this accountability is in the public interest:
1. Why was this case discontinued please explain the details of the legal technicality?
2. How was this technicality identified, by whom and the dates?
3. What has been the involvement of PCC Philip Wilkinson (who has shared publicly his personal views of pro hunt and ex member of Royal Artillery)and Chief Constable Kier Pritchard?
4. Who within the CPS has been involved with this case and who made the decision? Was Anna Pritchard of the CPS involved?
5. As there has been a further recent reversal of a decision to prosecute for previously elected PCC Jonathan Seed (ex Royal Artillery Huntsman), please identify any people involved with both cases.
6. Please provide the timeline of the decision-making process of this case.
7. Please advise details of the CCTV evidence from Larkhill barracks that supported the video evidence of the independent monitors.
8. What action is being taken to prevent further illegal hunting on Salisbury Plain under licence issued by the MOD DIO - this case is not proven innocence but a 'legal technicality'. What engagement has CPS had with MOD and MOD DIO regarding this case and how can 'impartiality' be assured as the offence took place on MOD land.

Yours faithfully,

Rachel

Info (HMCPSI), HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate

2 Attachments

Dear Ms Kent

 

Please find attached response to your FOI request.

 

Kind regards

 

Kris

 

 

[1]HMCPSI Logo RGB  

  Kristina Cottle

Business Services Manager

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T 0207 210 1147

 

 

[2][email address]

[3]www.justiceinspectorates.gov.uk/hmcpsi

 

 

 

 

 

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