10-year ban for mistreating cattle

Andrew Cockerill, who keeps cattle at The Grazings, Rosedale Abbey, appeared before Scarborough magistrates following an investigation by North Yorkshire County Council‘s Trading Standards service. He admitted seven offences of breaching animal health and welfare legislation.

Cockerill was sentenced to 26 weeks imprisonment, suspended for two years, 150 hours community service, ordered to pay costs of £1,600 and also received a 10-year ban from keeping all animals from the court on Friday.

Officers visited Cockerill’s farm at numerous times between July and December last year. They found approximately 50 cattle being kept in hazardous and potentially dangerous conditions. The housed area was 4ft deep in dirty bedding and the access to water outside was via deep, thick mud and slurry. Despite advice, action was not taken to remove these hazards.

Cockerill was prosecuted by the council previously in relation to animal welfare offences and at that time he was made to reduce the number of cattle he kept.