Thread by @rupertevelyn

Inside court 1 for Hunting trial verdict. Will update on this thread @itvnews Moved court to accommodate all visitors, observers, journalists......

@itvnews Mark Hankinson is inside the dock as Judge Tan Ikram sits down to deliver his verdict

@itvnews Hankinson tells the court, his name DOB and address and sits down.

@itvnews Judge talking through the case.. Points towards the legislation itself which makes it a crime to "Reduce the possibility of criminal proceedings being brought" with their actions

@itvnews Judge "The question for me is if the Crown proved to me the defendant encouraged the law breaking".... "Defendant is a man of good character. Good character is not a defence to the charge but it is a consideration"

@itvnews "It was an invitation only audience. Defendant accepted that he was speaking to a light minded audience and spoke freely"... "This court understands well concepts of creating smokescreens”

@itvnews *like* not light

@itvnews Judge says this quote from webinars is important...

“Some people say what’s the point in laying trials. I think it is self explanatory. If you haven’t laid a trail you are not going to be covered by the insurance”

@itvnews a lot of quotes from the webinars being referenced... Including from Phil Davies and Lord Mancroft... Judge "The words of the others are relevant"

@itvnews Judge " I make clear the judgement is based on what the defendant said" but the input of others needs to be seen in context.... Judge mentions this quote "Laying a trail allowed them to do what they really wanted to do”

@itvnews Judge "He was speaking at webinars when speaker after speaker were recognising that illegal hunting was going on...

I simply did not find him credible in any of his explanations that he used..

Unable to innocently explain the words away..."

@itvnews BREAKING: GUILTY - Mark Hankinson leading British huntsman convicted.

@itvnews Damning conclusion by Judge Ikram... "I am sure that the defendant through his words was giving advice to illegally hunt" @itvnews

@itvnews I will ask the court for the full conclusion from the judge which called into question much of the content of the webinars and hunting itself

@itvnews moving onto sentencing.... Defence saying Hankinson will lose his job at the MFHA

@itvnews Defence saying Hankinson has been subject to "vile abuse" as recently as last night

@itvnews "he is not a man of huge means.. far from it" says Hankinson's lawyer

@itvnews NEW - National Trust "As the court case has now concluded and the defendant has been found guilty, we will digest all the information that has arisen as a result of this investigation before making a decision on whether to resume the trail hunting licence application process."

@itvnews Judge sentencing Mark Hankinson now.....

@itvnews £1000 fine for Mark Hankinson and costs in a sum of £2500

NEW: Judges closing remarks and sentencing from Mark Hankinson trial we.tl/b-ZiILTv7O6q

@itvnews

NEW: Statement from Masters of Foxhounds Association…. “This verdict is hugely disappointing however we are considering an appeal. The MFHA is aware that this outcome raises concern over the perception of our lawful trail hunting activities we will be setting up a review”