Shropshire huntmaster Otis Ferry said he felt like crying when he was told a charge of “witness nobbling” against him could be dropped.

The 26-year-old, from Eaton Mascott, near Shrewsbury, described the “incredible strain” he has been under during the past year – which included spending four months in prison on remand.

“It’s been devastating. It’s been very, very sad for me,” he said.“But I can’t wait just to clear my name now.

“It’s hard going around having people look at you as if you’re guilty.”

Mr Ferry, who is the joint huntmaster of the South Shropshire Hunt, is facing charges of robbing a hunt monitor, assault and interfering with a witness.

But at a hearing at Gloucester Crown Court yesterday he was told the charges of interfering with a witness could be dropped due to “inconsistencies”.

He was unable to enter the county due to the bail restrictions placed on him, and since January, when he was released on bail, has been living in London with his mother, former socialite and model Lucy Birley, 48.

Now his bail conditions have now been relaxed to allow him to return home to Shropshire.

“Not only being in prison was hard but not being able to get on with your job is hard.

“It’s been an incredible strain on everyone in Shropshire who helps me run the hunt because they’ve had to do my work as well,” he said.

“Under the bail conditions now I can go home. I’ve missed my hounds a lot – I’ve got about 60 in my pack.

“It almost makes you want to cry when you’ve been subjected to so much.”

Mr Ferry, who is the son of rock star Bryan Ferry, said although the time he spent in prison was on remand, many people he had met had assumed that meant he was guilty.

“I haven’t been found guilty of anything but there’s a hard stigma attached to being on remand,” he said.

Mr Ferry’s girlfriend, Francesca Nimmo, 22, has also been investigated in connection with the “witness nobbling” charge and is currently waiting to hear if she will be charged.

She has been supporting Mr Ferry throughout the proceedings.

By Pam Griffin