Farming firm fined after mud causes bike crash
© Rex A farming firm has been fined after being found guilty of dumping mud on a road which caused a motorbike rush hour crash.
A motorcyclist lost control of his bike after skidding on mud, which had been left on the A420 road between Old Vicarage Road and Gablecross Police Station in Swindon, Wiltshire.
Emergency crews were called and the biker was taken to hospital by ambulance for treatment for minor injuries he suffered in the crash.
See also: Read more rural crime news
Police road traffic accident investigators deemed the road so dangerous that it was immediately closed following the accident on the morning of 16 October 2013.
The road was closed from 8.40am until 11.16am causing substantial traffic disruption.
“This case should act as a stark warning that we are actively prosecuting farmers who leave roads in such a dangerous condition.”
PC Sarah Cooper, Wiltshire Police
The farmer, from Joseph Enterprises, who was responsible for leaving the mud on the road was identified. He was later asked to return to the scene to help clear the road with the help of Swindon Borough Council.
Joseph Enterprises was later summonsed to court for depositing mud on a highway without lawful authority or excuse in consequence of which a user of the highway was injured or endangered.
Jonathan Joseph, of Lotmead Farm, pleaded not guilty to the charge on behalf of Joseph Enterprises.
However, the company was found guilty during a hearing at North West Wiltshire Magistrates’ Court on Monday (21 July).
Joseph Enterprises was fined £500 and made to pay a victim surcharge of £50 and £620 in court costs. Speaking after the hearing, PC Sarah Cooper, of Wiltshire Police, said: “This case should act as a stark warning that we are actively prosecuting farmers who leave roads in such a dangerous condition.
“In this case, the motorcyclist only received minor injuries but it could have been much worse.
“Not only did the actions of the farmer cause the road traffic collision, it also caused a main route into Swindon to be closed during rush hour which affected a large amount of people.”