Just spotted this story on the BBC news website, perhaps a bit excessive, but inventive nonetheless...

Russia farmer convicted of planting landmines in field

A Russian farmer has been convicted of planting landmines around his field to ward off trespassers.

Alexander Skopintsev, from the eastern region of Primorye near China's border, laid the three devices on his land after building them in his garage.

The 73-year-old had apparently been concerned about the frequent theft of potatoes from his farm.

He was arrested after an intruder set off one of the tripwire-style mines in August and was injured in the blast.

Skopintsev was convicted for the unlawful construction and storage of weapons and received a two-and-a-half year suspended sentence.

"Skopintsev testified that he had prepared the explosive devices to protect his garden against thieves," regional prosecutors said in a statement reported by RIA-Novosti news agency.

I had seen it too, and think it is an anti-farming story. The final sentence says it was to protect his garden.

 Actually one of our ex military neighbours has/had mines in his garden to protect against thieves admittedly they're only paint/dye ones though.

What a brilliant idea, but I'd say his public liability insurance must have gone through the roof. We had a visit recently from the Health and Safety Authority, its a pity I didn't know beforehand to see where they stood on this one?