Two protestors fined after trying to stop Scottish Grand National at Ayr
Sarah Foy, 23, and Osian Dixon, 26, were among 24 members of the Animal Rising group who attempted to disrupt the event back in April
Two animal rights campaigners, who tried to stop the Scottish Grand National from going ahead by entering the racetrack at Ayr, have each been fined £200.
Sarah Foy, 23, and Osian Dixon, 26, were among 24 members of the Animal Rising group who attempted to disrupt the event back in April.
On Monday at Ayr Sheriff Court they were both convicted of breach of the peace and handed a £200 fine, with an additional £10 victim surcharge.
Dixon, of Manchester, was also convicted of trespass.
Foy, of Alfreton, Derbyshire, was acquitted of trespass due to lack of evidence.
The activists, who are both unemployed, were told to repay at £10 a month.
READ MORE: Two protestors admit trying to disrupt Scottish Grand National
A judge said they "enjoyed public sympathy" but needed to use lawful methods in future.
She used sentencing powers to "mark the event" and admonished Dixon over the trespass charge at Ayr Sheriff Court.
The breach of the peace charge said the pair entered the track at Ayr Racecourse when a race meeting was in progress, equipped with glue and piping designed to enable people to secure themselves to jumps, fences or railings.
Reference to "overcome security" was removed from the charge.
Protestor tells court he walked through a gap in a fence to enter racetrack
Dixon told the court he "walked through a gap in the fence" in a Tesco car park, and "there was nothing to indicate we couldn't."
He said: "I was waiting for an opportunity to enter the racetrack in order to disrupt it and prevent horses from coming to harm.
"About five minutes before, I walked down to the car park through a gap in the opening of the fence, and then I jumped over the fence bordering the racetrack and ran onto it.
"I was tackled by security, carried to the cycle track by police and arrested.
"We made sure we had enough time to get onto the race track before the race began, so as to limit the risk to horses, riders and ourselves.
Two other protestors already pleaded guilty
Rose Paterson, 34, from London, had been due to be sentenced on Monday after she and Joshua Parkinson, 27, from Leeds, last week admitted the breach of the peace charge for their involvement in the incident.
Other members of the group are due to stand trial on Tuesday.
The Scottish Grand National was not delayed and the 18-horse race, which started at 3.38pm, was won by Kitty's Light.