Slurry attack farmer faces jail

A man dubbed "the cruellest farmer in Britain" by the RSPCA is facing jail after plunging an animal health inspector and a woman vet into a pit of slurry.

Roger Baker, 61, was found guilty of attacking trading standards officer Jonathan McCulloch and Government vet Susan Potter on his land at Ventongimps, near Truro in Cornwall, last year.

After five hours and 35 minutes of deliberations, the jury at Taunton Crown Court failed to reach a majority verdict on a second charge of making a threat to kill. The charge was instead left to lie on file at the request of counsel for the Crown, Michael Brabin QC.

Baker, who has convictions for animal cruelty spanning 30 years, denied attacking the officials and threatening to kill Mr McCulloch.

The court heard how Baker ran at Mr McCulloch, who works for Cornwall County Council, and Mrs Potter on February 25 last year.

Baker, who lived in a caravan on his land, came "out of nowhere", running at full speed to attack the two officials in his slurry-filled farmyard.

He first grabbed Mr McCulloch, 28, by his overalls, dragged him across the yard and attempted to dunk him in the putrid liquid - consisting of mud, animal faeces and urine.

As Mr McCulloch shouted desperately for help, Mrs Potter, 47, who was attempting to record conditions on the farm with her video camera, went to assist her colleague.

It was then that Baker, who was "very, very angry", grabbed Mrs Potter by the neck, pulled her to the ground and dragged her into the mire.

With one hand on her face, he pushed her into the slurry so hard she was forced to hold her breath.

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