Sophie Tuffin, 40, is on trial for assault by beating after a confrontation with a hunt saboteur, Alexandra Dennis, on December 10, 2024, in Dorset, England. The court heard that Tuffin, a huntswoman, allegedly struck Ms. Dennis in the face with her mobile phone during an argument over a right of way on a neighboring farmer's field. Ms. Dennis, a member of North Dorset Hunt Saboteurs, was monitoring the Blackmore and Sparkford Vale Hunt.
According to the prosecution, Tuffin rode up to Ms. Dennis and attempted to show her a map on her phone to prove there was no public access. Ms. Dennis testified that Tuffin leaned in close, hitting her in the face with the phone, which left bruising. Following this, Tuffin's 750kg horse is said to have made contact with Ms. Dennis, knocking her to the ground. Ms. Dennis sustained bruising to her toes and lower leg where the horse's hooves landed.
Ms. Dennis stated she was on a public footpath that ran through the field and used her own phone's GPS and OS map to verify her location. She also stated that a body-worn camera recorded the incident.
Tuffin has pleaded not guilty to the charges. Her defense attorney argued that Ms. Dennis was present to provoke hunt members and suggested that Tuffin did not hit Ms. Dennis with her phone, nor did the horse make contact. The defense claimed Ms. Dennis fell over on her own accord.
During cross-examination, Tuffin stated she could not reach Ms. Dennis' face from her horse, denying she shoved the phone at her. She also claimed not to be aware of the horse hitting Ms. Dennis, stating the saboteur was walking backward and fell. When interviewed by police, Tuffin reportedly said Ms. Dennis 'must have fallen over on her own accord.'
Detective Constable Steve Allen reviewed the bodycam footage, using GPS data to confirm Ms. Dennis' location, and indicated belief that she was on a public footpath. The trial was adjourned and is scheduled to resume on September 21.