I WRITE to applaud the verdict and sentence handed out to Christopher Marles for his appauling assault on a hunt monitor, Whipper-in jailed for horse attack on hunt monitor, Echo, March 14.

I am neither an 'anti' nor a 'pro' when it comes to field sports.

I hunted as a child, but do not now participate.

I work in the equestrian industry and have listened to countless tales of both support and derision from my customers — all of which have a place in democratic debate. What I am clear about is that there is no place for drunken bullying in any walk of life.

A big man with a big ego on a big horse is no match for a bystander. Christopher Marles deserves to be punished as his actions could have caused serious injury or even death to Mrs Weeks.

He has also cast a distasteful shadow over the hunting community who are in the vast majority agreeable, courteous countryside custodians.

Nicki McGuire

Kenton, Exeter

(via thisisexeter.co.uk)

CHRISTOPHER Marles, of the East Devon Hunt, was sent to prison on Friday for causing actual bodily harm to one monitor and for assaulting a second.

Why, after the first very serious incident, did the East Devon Hunt continue to use the services of this man?

Y Nicola

Address withheld on request

(by email)