A COTSWOLD kennel owner and friend of Tory leader David Cameron has denied charges of fox-hunting after the ban.

Julian Barnfield, 44, of Heythrop Kennels, Chipping Norton, entered the not guilty pleas through his solicitor, Tim Hayden, at today's hearing at Cheltenham Magistrates Court.

The case was adjourned for a pre-trial review to take place and after a judicial review at the High Court in London concerning points of law that potentially relate to the case.

Barnfield pleaded not guilty to three charges of breaking the ban on hunting for foxes with dogs in Gloucestershire.

The first relates to November 17, last year at Cold Aston, the second is on January 23 this year in Moreton-in-marsh and the third on February 7 this year at Barrington.

Prosecuting, William Llewellyn, said Mr Barnfield also faced a similar matter at Witney Magistrates Court to be transferred and incorporated into this case.

A High Court judicial review is in process following the prosecution of Tony Wright at Barnstaple Magistrates Court in 2005 in relation to a hunting matter.

The Magistrates heard today that two points of law were under scrutiny at the High Court in relation to the Barnstaple case - notably concerning what the legal definition of hunting was.

The case has been adjourned for a pre-trial review on November 3 at Cheltenham Magistrates.

Julian Barnfield is the first huntsman from the West Country to be prosecuted and only the second time in Britain that such a case has been brought.

The Heythrop is the local hunt for David Cameron and he has ridden with them at least six times since he moved to take the seat several years ago.