Richard Chapman cut a fine figure as assistant to Master of the Hounds for the Cheshire Forest Hunt. But when he was cornered by police wanting to question him, he turned 50 hounds on his pursuers.

Chapman, 48, had threatened in a phone call to injure a friend of a former girlfriend, a court at Macclesfield heard. Mr Peter McKnight, prosecuting, said two police officers were left cowering after police tracked Chapman to the hunt kennels he managed at Peover. “At that moment Chapman opened a gate and released approximately 50 foxhounds.”

Chapman pleaded not guilty to making a threat to kill and of driving with excess alcohol. He admitted obstructing a police officer, criminal damage and using threatening behaviour.

Stipendiary magistrate Phillip Dodd found him guilty on all charges and placed him on probation for 12 months. He was also fined £250, banned from driving for three years and ordered to pay a total of £147 in costs and compensation.

Published in the Manchester Evening News, 9th June 1994