A FORMER student of the Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester has had her trial thrown out of court after failing to return to Britain to face an allegation of illegal hunting.

Elizabeth Jean Gilbert, 21, formerly of 6 Mount Street, Cirencester, was due at Swindon Magistrates Court on Tuesday, November 12 to face trial after being charged with hunting a wild mammal with dogs.

It is alleged that the former student and huntsmen took part in an illegal hare hunt at Cowage Farm in the village of Foxley near Malmesbury.

Miss Gilbert was originally scheduled to be tried at the Swindon court last month but failed to show, causing the case to be adjourned.

Despite a summons being served, Miss Gilbert’s lack of attendance in court caused the Crown Prosecution Service to withdraw the case.

It is now thought that she has returned to the USA, her home country.

Charges were brought against Miss Gilbert after the League Against Cruel Sports supplied police with video evidence of her allegedly hunting hares.