A huntsman accused of attacking two saboteurs told a jury he was acting in self-defence.

Jonathan Broise, 46, of London Road, Petworth, told Chichester Crown Court Jaine Wild sprayed perfume in his eye and whipped him before he pushed her away.

He said her husband, Simon Wild, who videoed the incident, then attacked him as he bent down to find his lost hunting horn in bracken.

Broise denies assault causing actual bodily harm on Mr and Mrs Wild during a meeting of the Chiddingfold, Leconfield and Cowdray Hunt on private land in Petworth Park on October 9 last year.

Broise, who has been involved in hunting for 27 years, told the jury Mrs Wild sprayed him in the face with perfume as he dismounted.

He said: "I immediately put my hand up to stop any more perfume going into my face. It is an intense stinging sensation.

"As far as I can remember, while I am rubbing my left eye, Mrs Wild grabbed hold of my hunting horn and threw it into the trees behind her."

"After that I remember lurching backwards as Mrs Wild was starting to hit me. She had a small whip in her hand."

He said he did not lose his temper, strike her with his own whip or try to punch or headbutt her.

Afterwards he went to find his hunting horn in some bracken and said he was attacked by Mr Wild.

Broise told the jury he punched Mr Wild twice while he was standing and hit him on the ground before restraining him.

Cross-examining, Richard Cherrill said: "I suggest that after losing self-control and striking Mrs Wild, you then appreciated that Mr Wild was coming to rescue Mrs Wild.

"Then, as he came to you, you sorted him out as well. You got him on the ground and you had him at your mercy.

"You gave him a hard blow to the face to teach him a lesson."

Broise again insisted he had acted in self-defence.

The trial continues.