Two men found guilty of illegal fox hunting on two occasions are appealing against their convictions. 

Huntsman Edward Bell, 31, and his assistant Adam Egginton, 23, members of the West Norfolk Hunt, were found guilty of allowing hounds to hunt foxes.

They had denied offences at Hingham, near Watton, and Tittleshall, near Fakenham, in February 2023 but were convicted following a trial at Great Yarmouth Magistrates' Court in July. 

A pack of hunting dogs chased a fox into a private garden before killing it in Hingham, NorfolkA pack of hunting dogs chased a fox into a private garden before killing it in Hingham, Norfolk (Image: Submitted)

READ MORE: Norfolk men convicted of illegal fox hunting

Both are now seeking to overturn the verdicts in an appeal at Norwich Crown Court.

The men, who lived at the hunt kennels on Moor Lane in Necton, near Swaffham, had been charged following an incident when a pack of 38 hounds entered the garden of a family home in Hingham.

CCTV footage captured them killing a fox before leaving its remains behind on the patio.

The trial also heard about video footage said to show dogs on the trail of a live fox on fields at Titteshall with Bell and Egginton present and in charge of the dogs.

Footage of a fox on fields Tittleshall near Fakenham was shown at the appealFootage of a fox on fields Tittleshall near Fakenham was shown at the appeal (Image: Norfolk Suffolk Hunt Saboteurs) Footage of hunters with hounds at Tittleshall near Fakenham shown at the appealFootage of hunters with hounds at Tittleshall near Fakenham shown at the appeal (Image: Norfolk Suffolk Hunt Saboteurs)

The appeal has heard evidence from Sally Field, a member of Norfolk Suffolk Hunt Saboteurs, who claimed to have seen dogs in a “kill huddle” after filming them chasing a fox. 

READ MORE: Norfolk hunting dogs kill fox chased into Hingham garden

Stephen Welford, defending both men, questioned the validity of her evidence due to her known opposition to hunting and argued what she had actually seen was a group of sheep.  

“My clients’ position is that the hounds did not kill a fox so you did not see this kill huddle,” he added.  

Daisy Ford, who lives at the Higham property invaded by dogs, told the hearing the fox killing had been “disgusting”.

“This invasion of our personal space was horrific. It’s a space where we have family barbecues and now all I can see is fox entrails,” she added. 

The appeal is expected to last two days.