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Herstmonceux: Hunt saboteur complains of assault and car damage

A member of the South Coast Hunt Saboteurs was assaulted in the car in Herstmonceux.

A hunt saboteur said he feared for his safety after being assaulted in a car which had its windows smashed.

Simon Medhurst said the attack happened as the South Coast Hunt Saboteurs attended the New Year's Day hunt in Herstmonceux, East Sussex.

A people carrier was damaged by four suspects and one of the occupants was assaulted, according to Sussex Police.

The Southdown & Eridge Hunt said they believed the attack had nothing to do with their group.

Mr Medhurst, 65, from Hastings, was in the group of three saboteurs who oppose fox hunting.

They were inside their vehicle which had broken down and had a flat tyre when the attack happened.

He said: "Four men approached the vehicle and took the flat tyre which we'd removed and started smashing the windows.

"It was pretty terrifying. They started grabbing at a woman who was sitting in the middle seats.

"They smashed the side window where I was sitting and they started punching me. It lasted for about a minute."

South Coast Hunt Saboteurs Simon Medhurst and his injuriesSouth Coast Hunt Saboteurs
Hunt saboteur Simon Medhurst was assaulted in a car in Herstmonceux

Mr Medhurst received injuries to his ribs, upper thigh, eye and forehead.

He continued: "It was so scary. They kept on saying they were going to stab me."

A security guard from Herstmonceux Castle came out and shouted at the attackers and they fled, according to Mr Medhurst.

Mr Medhurst, who has been a hunt saboteur for 10 years, was taken to hospital in an ambulance as a precautionary measure to get checked over.

He said: "I was so lucky to escape with just nasty bruising.

"I have absolutely no doubts that these men were part of the hunt."

South Coast Hunt Saboteurs Shattered windscreenSouth Coast Hunt Saboteurs
The hunt saboteurs' vehicle had it's windows smashed in the attack

A spokesman for Southdown & Eridge Hunt said: "We are genuinely horrified by this incident.

"As far as we can see these people have nothing to do with our hunt and we unequivocally condemn such behaviour. It is totally unacceptable.

"If we find out their identities we will notify authorities."

Sussex Police said the vehicle had been seized for forensic investigation and it was appealing for anyone with information to come forward.

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