A WHIPPER-IN used his horse 'like a missile' to push a hunt monitor into a ditch as she tried to film the hounds, a court was told.

Artist Helen Weeks, 61, said she felt like a trapped animal as she was knocked down three times by a large white horse called Whisper.

Exeter magistrates heard yesterday that huntsman Christopher Marles, 47, laughed as she was repeatedly knocked over and mocked her saying: "Whisper is a lovely horse; he loves you."

Marles, of Farringdon, near Exeter, admits common assault but magistrates are hearing evidence at a special sitting to decide whether his actions were deliberate or reckless.

The court was told he was with the East Devon Hunt in a lane at Whimple, last March when he confronted Mrs Weeks and fellow monitor Graham Forsyth.

The bench was shown videos taken by both monitors in which the horse's head can be seen getting closer and closer before there is a scream from Mrs Weeks each time she plunges into the ditch.

Arthritis sufferer Mrs Weeks said he repeatedly drove his horse towards her as she stood in a narrow gap between two cars. Its head hit her three times, knocking her into a muddy ditch each time. She said:"I felt vulnerable. I was telling him to get away from me.

"He was saying: 'Whisper is a lovely horse, he loves you'. And with that he pulled on the reins and the horse's head knocked me sideways. He seemed to be enjoying himself but it was very frightening. The rider laughed. I felt like a trapped animal.

"I had to go to the minor injuries unit for a pain in my back and I could not sleep because I kept playing it over and over in my mind.

"It had a big emotional effect on me. I felt unimportant because everyone else rode past and nobody cared about what he had done."

Mr Forsyth said he had fallen backwards into the same ditch after Marles rode his horse at him.

He said: "The horse went at Helen like a missile. It went straight at her. It was used as a weapon to attack us and intimidate us. I could see he was smiling.

"I was shocked and flabbergasted. It was dreadful. Helen was shocked and stunned and crying. I think she felt violated."

Marles says he did not intend to force Mrs Weeks into the ditch and all three falls were accidental. He says he was reckless and that he was having difficulty controlling the horse when it hit Mrs Weeks.

The case has been adjourned until later this month.