Two men charged after badger sett compromised near Newark

Badger sett — A notorious hunter faces court following an investigation into wildlife crime offences in Nottinghamshire. These vile little men are just one more case that highlights the broader issue of a crap legal system that is systematically letting people like them escape with minor penalties. It’s becoming more and more obvious that these pathetic financial penalties do absolutely nothing to deter the countryside elite from breaking laws and murdering wildlife.

Badger sett — Caught on camera

Jacob Whalley faces four counts of interfering with an active badger sett. Covert cameras caught the suspects tampering with the Rolleston sett. They were caught flushing wildlife with a terrier and blocking seven entrances to the sett. We have the Hunt Saboteurs Association to thank for getting the footage.

The prosecution accuse these two elites of intentionally blocking the holes of the sett to prevent badgers and foxes from escaping to underground safety during hunting activities. Weird, considering that hunting mammals with hounds is illegal in the UK.

Whalley and Ste Reynolds appeared at Nottingham Magistrates Court on Thursday 21 May 2026. They remain on bail until the next hearing which will take place on Thursday 26 November 2026. 

GROVE AND RUFFORD HUNTSMAN CHARGED OVER BADGER SETT BLOCKING

Last week, Grove and Rufford huntsman Jacob Whalley and terrierman Ste Reynolds entered not guilty pleas, after being charged with tampering with an active badger sett in November last year.

This was one of many… pic.twitter.com/DgJxKe045U

— PROTECT ALL WILDLIFE (@Protect_Wldlife) June 1, 2026

A justice system with no teeth

Our justice system is an absolute sham when it comes to wildlife. Animal related convictions have hit an all-time, record low. In 2024 the courts secured a pathetic 14 hunting convictions across England and Wales. Strange, considering I’ve seen more than 14 wildlife crimes being committed on one single hunt sab session.

Fines under the Hunting Act 2004 average a pitiful £356. What is that to a wealthy huntsman, really? Even to a lower hunt member such as a terrierman. These tiny fines are simply paid off and these rich hunters are back to breaking the law.

Police and the courts rarely take wildlife crime seriously. They let hundreds of illegal hunts escape justice every year. Obtaining proof still largely falls on organisations such as the Hunt Sabs to collect and submit to the police. And the strict burden of proof means that criminals routinely walk away free due to shitty technicalities and loopholes within the law. Even when they’re caught red-handed.

It’s pathetic when activists have to do the job of the police because they simply cannot be arsed. Will the courts finally hand down a decent sentence to people like Whalley? One that actually acts as a deterrent? Or will he be straight back at allegedly filling in badger setts as soon as he gets out of course?

Featured Images via Sheffield Hunt Saboteurs/The Hunt Saboteurs Association