News

A Shropshire haulier has had an animal welfare conviction overturned at the High Court in London.

Robert Pritchard, who runs three vehicles, had been found guilty of transporting 70 unfit sheep to a market, following a two-day trial at Welshpool Magistrate's Court in March 2006.

But on February 8 the High Court granted his appeal and quoshed fines of £2,500 plus £1,000 costs, citing lack of evidence. Pritchard was awarded costs, though no order for costs was made against Powys  County Council, which brought the prosecution.

Pritchard says: "They had no evidence against us and we had numerous witnesses saying there was nothing wrong with the sheep.

I've never been in trouble before and I know when a sheep is fit for travel. They were loaded properly and although they were elderly, they were fit."

Farmer Paul Leatherland of Northamptonshire, who owned the sheep, also won his appeal against conviction his fines and costs of £6,500 were overturned.