Farmer jailed for keeping livestock

1 November 2000



Farmer jailed for keeping livestock

By FWi staff

A NORTH DEVON farmer has been jailed for eight months after breaching a ban on keeping livestock following a cruelty case.

John Buckingham, 52, Furzebarn Farm, Warkleigh, was also convicted of breaching animal health and welfare legislation..

He appeared before Barnstaple magistrates on Tuesday (31 October), in a case brought by local Trading Standards Officers

Mr Buckingham had broken a 10-year ban on keeping any farm animals, imposed by magistrates only a year ago, the court was told.

Magistrates heard that Ministry of Agriculture vets visiting the farm found sheep in poor condition and pigs eating sheep carcasses.

Following the case senior trading standards officer Ken Endacott said: “Animals have no control over their well-being; it is up to us. ”

Mr Buckinghams solicitor said he would appeal against the court ruling. The farm has been owned by the Buckingham family for more than 100 years.