Activist cleared of charge

An animal rights activist who piloted a gyrocopter that decapitated a hunt supporter in Britain was cleared of manslaughter yesterday.

Bryan Griffiths, 55, and his cameraman were trying to take off from Long Marston airfield, Warwickshire, when Trevor Morse was killed while trying to stop them.

Morse, 48, was a Warwickshire hunt member.

During the confrontation on March 9 last year Morse stood in the way of the machine and was struck by the rear blades.

A jury at Birmingham Crown Court acquitted Griffiths after a two-week trial.