A hunt led by the sister of Diana, Princess of Wales is facing a six figure claim for damages after one of its staff assaulted a legal observer, leaving him with a broken neck.

Former police officer Darryl Cunnington, 60, suffered a fractured vertebra after being pushed down a steep slope while monitoring the activities of the Belvoir Hunt.

The hunt’s kennel man, George Grant, 58, and his 26-year-old son Thomas were both sentenced to 13-months in prison, suspended for two years, and ordered to carry out 200 hours of unpaid work after pleading guilty to assault causing grievous bodily harm, actual bodily harm, theft, and criminal damage to property.

At his trial Princess Diana’s eldest sister, Lady Sarah McCorquodale, vouched for Grant, telling Judge Jinder Singh Boora that he would lose both his home and his job if he was jailed.