THE first person to be prosecuted under Scotland's controversial anti-fox hunting legislation is launching a political career.

Trevor Adams - former hounds master for Scotland's largest hunt, the Buccleuch - has been chosen as the Conservative candidate for Scottish Borders Council's forthcoming Hawick and Denholm by-election after the death of Tory councillor Zandra Elliot, 73, in February.

Mr Adams, 55, hit the headlines in 2004 when he became the first huntsman charged under the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act.

He walked free from Jedburgh Sheriff Court after it was ruled he had not deliberately hunted a fox with 20 dogs.

Mr Adams, from Melrose, Roxburghshire, had faced a fine of up to £5000 or up to six months in jail.

Since the case he has continued to run a pest control service before recently retiring as the Buccleuch Huntsman.