Hunt saboteur Aubrey Burge, who appeared in court after attempting to disrupt a hare hunt, said he would do the same again if it meant saving an animal's life.

Burge, 49, of Rushall Road, North Newnton, near Pewsey, was arrested by police after running after a beagle pack holding a homemade whip and a spray can.

The incident happened during a hare hunt by the Warminster and Infantry Beagles in Steeple Ashton last December.

On Thursday Burge was given a 24-month conditional discharge by North Wiltshire magistrates in Chippenham after he pleaded guilty to aggravated trespass.

But the court heard he maintained his actions were justified and said it was wrong for him to be criminalized for trying to save the hare's life.

Ian Halliday, prosecuting, said that Burge was among a group of between eight and 12 hunt protesters that followed the hunt from the moment it set off.

Initially three saboteurs tried to distract the beagle pack, at which point an off duty police officer called for assistance. Three officers arrived and when they approached the three, they backed off without any trouble.

Later a number of protesters broke away from the main group as the dogs picked up the scent of a hare, the court heard. "The hunt proper was in progress," said Mr Halliday.

"At this point Mr Burge became involved. He broke cover and ran towards the pack of beagles and was within ten metres of them. He was seen to have what appeared to be a homemade whip in one hand, and in the other hand a spray can."

Police intercepted him when they saw him running and he did not resist arrest.

"At the police station he maintained his right to silence, simply commenting that he didn't think he had done anything wrong that day," said Mr Halliday.

Burge wrote a statement for the magistrates that his solicitor David Martin read out in court. It stated: "I've have pleaded guilty today to technically being guilty of a crime as the law currently states.

"However I feel totally justified in my actions and have no regrets. The brown hare is known to be in decline in certain areas and it is not considered a pest.

"The sole reason for hunting this animal is purely for fun, for which there can be no justification.

"My intention was to save the life of the hare and I am being criminalized."

Burge said he looked forward to the day when hunters were prosecuted rather than the protesters who were campaigning for the animals' rights.

Mr Martin pointed out that Burge had been protesting for animal rights, human rights and environmental protection all his life, and had never been in trouble with the law before. "He is certainly a man who sees his protests as non-violent and makes a point of ensuring that is the case," he said.

The conditional discharge means that Burge received no penalty, but if he re-offends within the 24 months he may find himself punished for aggravated trespass as well as any new convictions.

After the hearing Burge said he was not happy.

"How can it be a crime to try and save a life?" he asked. "A the end of the day I would do exactly the same again."

jbishop@newswilts.co.uk