Raging Crufts competitor who drove van into show ring before hurling racist insults at judge after her dogs were barred from contest is fined £4,000
Marianne Hunter, 63, was fined after driving her van into a dog show ring in Pembrokeshire and racially abusing a judge who had barred one of her lurchers from competing in two categories. The incident, at the family event in Narberth, knocked over a participant and happened while children were nearby; the court heard her husband removed the van keys to prevent the situation worsening.
Hunter admitted racially aggravated intentional harassment and was found guilty of dangerous driving. She was fined £2,676 for dangerous driving and £1,115 for harassment, received a 12-month driving ban and must pass an extended driving test before driving again. She had travelled 270 miles from Kent to attend the show, which offered £100 prizes for champions.
In short
- A dog show competitor drove into the ring after her entry was refused.
- She racially abused the judge and knocked over a participant.
- She was fined £3,791 and banned from driving for 12 months.
Explained simply
Dog shows award prizes across different categories, with judges checking whether each dog meets the rules for its class. Lurchers are a type of dog traditionally bred for speed and hunting, and may be entered in several categories at a show.
The event took place in Narberth, a town in Pembrokeshire, west Wales, and was attended by families, including children. Judges can bar a dog from a category if they decide it does not meet the entry requirements.
The case involved Marianne Hunter, a competitor who had travelled from Kent to the show. It concerned both her conduct at the event and road safety, as well as racially aggravated harassment of the judge.