Master and assistant deny hunting fox on Duke of Beaufort estate
William Bryer, 49, and Mitch Prosser, 28, both from Badminton will stand trial in April 2027
Last updated 5th Aug 2026
A master huntsman and his assistant have denied hunting a fox that was pursued and killed by hounds on an estate belonging to the Duke of Beaufort.
William Bryer, 49, and Mitch Prosser, 28, are accused of hunting the animal on the Badminton Estate in Gloucestershire last year.
Bristol Magistrates’ Court heard the charges relate to an event on December 20 where a fox was pursued and killed by hounds in the Duke of Beaufort’s Hunt.
Anthony Tuck, 51, is also charged with encouraging commission of the offence, by retrieving and assisting in disposal of the animal carcass.
During a hearing on Wednesday, Stephen Welford, defending, entered not guilty pleas to all charges on behalf of the defendants, who were not required to attend court.
Michael Collins, prosecuting, said: “These allegations arise from a Beaufort Hunt event on the Badminton Estate dating back to December 20 last year.
“The Crown case is that the fox was hunted and killed by Beaufort Hunt hounds.”
He said Bryer, the master huntsman, and Prosser, the whipper-in, were “responsible for control of the hounds” and “failed to call the hounds off”.
Tuck, of Chippenham, Prosser, of Badminton, and Bryer, of Badminton, will stand trial at Bristol Magistrates’ Court over two days on April 21 and 22 next year.
On Boxing Day, six days after the alleged offending took place, Bryer said the countryside was “under assault and siege” over Government plans to ban trail hunting.
“I just wonder whether our Government would have made that announcement had they predicted a turnout like this,” Bryer said, addressing a large crowd on the Badminton Estate.
“It is somewhat ironic, is it not, that the Government choose to announce their intentions to destroy trail hunting just at a time of year when we reaffirm our beliefs.
“So just ask yourselves: Why did you come today?
“Was it because you believe in a connection to the land and to your farmers?
“Was it because you believe in preserving British cultural heritage? Was it because you believe in hunting?
“So, we’re under assault, we’re under siege and like all fights it’s going to get messy. But we must, we must stand united.
“So, because of my age, I’m going to say take the words from that 1980s super-ballad, take the words from Journey’s song, Don’t Stop Believing.
“Hunting has a future, hunting will endure.”