Ollie Richmond required staples in his head after he was attacked (Picture: SWNS)

An activist whose skull was fractured in a fox hunt protest has spoken out about his ‘traumatic’ ordeal after police dropped the case.

Plumber, Ollie Richmond, needed titanium plates fitted in his skull after a peaceful fox hunt protest turned violent in June 2016.

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Campaigners turned up to a Cheldon Buckhounds meet while members were out with their dogs.

But a vicious brawl broke out after people, believed to be hunt supporters, emerged dressed in balaclavas, masks and camouflage gear.


Terrifying footage shows the encounter in an area of secluded woodland in South Molton, Devon.

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He was trying to protect another protester (Picture: SWNS)

Richmond accused police of not doing anything about the incident (Picture: SWNS)

Richmond suffered a fractured skull and eye socket trying to protect fellow activist Andy Kane, 53, who was allegedly hit with a motorcycle helmet.

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But he said Devon and Cornwall Police has since dropped the case after investigating two confrontations on May 14 and May 30 2016.



He said: ‘It has been a traumatic experience and the police have been terrible.

‘They basically dropped the case due to the fact that the guys had a good lawyer and they claimed self defence.

‘It’s not self defence if you are beating someone up on the floor.’

Andy Kane was left with a bloody face (Picture: SWNS)

Footage shows the confrontation in 2015(Picture: SWNS)

Ollie said he tried to protect Kane when he was attacked.

‘I placed myself between Andy on the floor and him.

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‘He then took me down and someone else jumped on top of me and started punching me on the ground.

‘It all happened very fast but I remember being on the ground and looking up and seeing fists pounding down on my face.

‘It eventually stopped. At the time I was in shock. I didn’t realise what had happened until I started feeling my skull.’

No one was prosecuted for the attacks (Picture: SWNS)

Police said they cautioned three men (Picture: SWNS)

Ollie was left with a scar on the top of his head where it was stapled back together and was off work for three months afterwards recovering.

Devon and Cornwall Police launched an investigation after receiving eight crime reports of tow incidents.

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None of those involved were prosecuted, however, three hunt supporters received a police caution in relation to their involvement.

Devon and Cornwall Police said: ‘Video footage was available to investigators in relation to both events from both parties.

‘All the allegations were investigated, witnesses were spoken to and suspects were interviewed in connection with their involvement in the offences.

‘There were no prosecutions as a result of these allegations. However, three individuals received police cautions in relation to their involvement.’

Metro.co.uk approached Cheldon Buckhounds for comment.