In a shocking development on New Year’s Day, members of the Hunt Saboteurs Association became victims of a brutal attack in Herstmonceux, East Sussex. The group’s car had broken down on Church Road shortly after Midday, and while they were awaiting recovery, they were violently ambushed.
The saboteurs believe the attack was premeditated, triggered by an ex-hunt staff member and follower who had spotted them in their vulnerable state. Within an hour of being seen broken down, the group faced a terrifying assault.
A disturbing video captured shows four men, their faces hidden but dressed in hunting gear, aggressively attacking the car. They smashed the windows, ripped a bag and a camera from one of the occupants, and used a road cone and a tyre as weapons. Simon, a member of the group inside the car, was repeatedly punched in a vicious onslaught.
The East Surrey Hunt Sabs spokesperson described the ordeal: “It was a ruthless attack. They started by attempting to break the windows with keys and elbows, then escalated to using a traffic cone and a tyre as weapons. They also violently snatched my body cam, bruised my skin, and tore off my shoulder bag.”
Simon, who suffered a head injury and was subsequently hospitalised, stated, “It was definitely premeditated. We were targeted after being seen broken down. I thought we were safe outside the church, but the attack was far more severe than anticipated. Thankfully, a security guard arrived just in time, preventing them from dragging me out of the car and inflicting further harm.”
A Sussex Police spokesperson told Sussex News “Police responded to an incident in Church Road, Herstmonceux, around 1.37pm on Monday 1 January. A parked car was reportedly damaged by four suspects and one of the occupants assaulted. He was taken to hospital as a precaution.
Another occupant of the vehicle reported having a camera stolen.”
“The incident is under investigation and the vehicle has been seized for forensics examination. Anyone with any information about the incident is asked to report it online or call 101, quoting serial 829 of 01/01.”
For information about the Hunt Saboteurs Association click https://www.huntsabs.org.uk/
