H&C

17
Mar
2010

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Gyrocopter pilot found not guilty

Animal rights activitst Bryan Griffiths has today been found not guilty at Birmingham Crown Court of the manslaughter by gross negligence of Warwickshire Hunt supporter, Trevor Morse.

The presiding Judge was Mrs Justice Slade.

Trevor Morse died at Long Marston airfield near Stratford upon Avon on 9th March 2009 after being hit by the gyrocopter Griffiths was piloting.

Countryside Alliance Chief Executive Simon Hart commented: “This is a difficult time for Trevor Morse’s family, partner and friends. As a result of animal activists one man is dead and another has faced very serious criminal charges.

“If there is one outcome from the horrific events of this case it must be that the activity which led to Trevor Morse’s death is not repeated. It is not for animal rights activists to police the Hunting Act or any other law, especially not using clearly unsafe methods such as using a gyrocopter or any other aircraft. It is for police forces to enforce the Hunting Act and the laws of the land.

“On the day Trevor Morse was killed Mr Griffiths and his co-pilot John Curtin were not even filming the hunt from the gyrocopter. This was not about enforcing any law.”