Police have dropped an investigation into a vicious assault on a huntsman just three months after it took place – despite a wealth of evidence pointing to the identity of a suspected attacker . Last night the victim , Mike Lane , 40 , who was beaten by balaclava-clad protesters armed with iron bars on ropes , condemned the decision by police as ‘ pathetic ’ . He said : ‘ They could have made more effort . Everyone is very disappointed . I ’ ve been told that unless further evidence comes forward , the attackers are not likely to be found . We find it pathetic. ’ Attack : Mike Lane,40 , who is joint master of the Tedworth Hunt , on the ground during the confrontation with hunt saboteurs . A video of the incident and a dossier of evidence , including some names of saboteurs and their car registration numbers , was given to Wiltshire Police after the assault . The attack at Everleigh , near Amesbury , took place even though the 30 riders and their hounds were chasing only an artificial scent , rather than a fox . During the incident , Mr Lane , who is joint master of the Tedworth Hunt , was sent flying to the ground , before being kicked in the head . He was admitted to hospital with concussion and broken teeth and his face was swollen . Since the attack he has suffered memory loss . The face of the thug who kicked Mr Lane was captured on video . Following the attack , Wiltshire Police issued the suspect ’ s photograph , although he has not been identified . In an exclusive interview with The Mail on Sunday , Mr Lane said : ‘ I ’ ve been told by police they are shelving their inquiries due to insufficient evidence . It ’ s angered us because we gave them evidence . I ’ m beginning to lose my trust in the police. ’ Wiltshire Police confirmed they had stopped the investigation pending further information , but their failure to identify , charge or prosecute anyone involved has dismayed hunt supporters across the country . This is the face of the main suspect . On the day of the attack , January 24 , about 15 protesters sprayed hounds with the perfumed chemical citronella to distract them from the scent . Mr Lane said : ‘ I noticed they parked about 250 yards away . Then five came towards us . They were looking for trouble – it was a hardcore element we ’ d not seen before . ‘ They were abusive and then one spat at me and then punched me in the face . A scuffle broke out and I slipped and one started kicking me in the head , stamped on me and the heel of his steel toe-capped trainer stuck in my mouth . I was knocked out for a few minutes . Then the chap started swinging a rope with an iron bar. ’ Mr Lane , who has paid £500 for dental treatment since the attack , added : ‘ I feel let down and think the police could have done more. ’ Karen Fieldsend , 42 , who made the call to police , is furious that the case has been dropped . ‘ It ’ s disgraceful , ’ she said . ‘ If you had people assaulted in a city centre , something would be done , but in the countryside people forget about it. ’ James Cameron , 53 , vice-chairman of the Tedworth Hunt , added : ‘ Their decision is disappointing , but this highlights how difficult it is for police to do their job when saboteurs turn up wearing face coverings. ’ The Countryside Alliance is campaigning to ban saboteurs from wearing a face covering so criminals can be brought to justice . Last night a spokesman for Wiltshire Police said : ‘ We have been unable to move the inquiry further forward . At this stage the case has been recorded as undetected , however should other evidence come to light then it will be re-opened . ’
Mike Lane was beaten by masked protesters armed with iron bars on ropes . Attack happened as 30 riders and hounds were chasing artificial scent . Score: 6