Name: James “Harky” Harkness
Location: St Hughes Close, Bicester
Affiliations: Bedfordshire & Buckinghamshire Sabs, MBR Beagles
James Harkness is an ardent animal rights extremist. Besides sabbing legal trail hunts, Harkness has a criminal side. The Oxford Mail reported on 26 March that Harkness was handed a 12 month prison sentence suspended for two years, for one count each of assault, criminal damage, and strangulation.
This followed a trial in which Harkness faced alarming accusations, including alleged instances of strangling, assault, and criminal damage, from an ex-partner.
The Oxford Mail first reported that Harkness was due to appear in court on 14 December 2023 on several charges: assault by beating, intentional strangulation, and criminal damage under £5,000. The initial trial was postponed to January 11 due to a delay in legal aid.
It was heard at Oxford Crown Court on 26 March that Harkness could have faced an immediate custodial sentence, but the judge was persuaded he could be rehabilitated within the community along with help from his father, who was present in court, and friends.
Further to his sentencing, Harkness, of St Hughs Close, Bicester, was also ordered to complete 150 hours of unpaid work, 12 weeks of alcohol and abstinence, and he has been ordered to pay the victim, his ex-partner, £500 in compensation.
James Harkness seems to be another violent man to find solidarity amongst sabs. However, like many sabs, he has managed to avoid jail time, slipping partially through the legal net.
Apart from his violent antics, Harky also runs a vegan clothing company, Stay Close Clothing, based in Bicester along with Nick Taylor and Grant Neal, both also from Oxfordshire.
So, any sab who purchases a fox-decorated T-Shirt is in reality supporting a man who is accused of violence and abuse. Notably, Stay Close Clothing has been endorsed by animal rights group Protect the Wild - hardly a good look for the bunny-cuddlers.
In a longwinded video on Stay Close’s website, which was filmed by Heavy Metal enthusiast Adam Szcezpanik, Harkness outlines his support for various Hunt Saboteur groups and commitment to animal rights extremism. The video was filmed at The Bell Bicester, a well-known local live music venue.
Moreover, Stay Close’s Facebook page does not shy away from sharing sab updates from the Beds & Bucks Sab page.
