REGARDING the assault on Helen Weeks by Christopher Marles, the whipper-in of the East Devon Hunt, Whipper-in facing jail for using his horse to knock down woman, Echo, February 12, Mrs Weeks is a member of Protect Our Wild Animals, which campaigns for the Hunting Act 2004 to be strengthened to facilitate prosecution of those who continue to unlawfully hunt foxes and deer with dogs for sport.

The Echo report concluded with a statement by Countryside Alliance spokesman Tim Bonner, who said: "There's nothing here to suggest the law needs to be strengthened."

But I wish to point out to readers that Mr Marles was charged with the public order offence of assault. He was neither charged nor convicted under the Hunting Act.

POWA's website explains why it is promoting Early Day Motion 122, in the House of Commons, in order for this to be done.

John Phelps

Argyll Road, Exeter

(by email)