Farmer cleared of murder bid condemns thief’s ‘measly’ fine

Bill Edwards endured four months on bail while facing an attempted murder allegation after he had opened fire at David Taylor, who he spotted trying to steal a haul of metal.

Taylor could have been jailed for up to six months for stealing the metal from Mr Edwards – who caught him on his land in remote woodland in North Yorkshire, with his mother Louisa Smith, 50.

Instead, Taylor was given a £100 fine after claiming to have been “traumatised” when Mr Edwards opened fire on a van as the thief drove towards Mrs Smith while trying to escape with his haul. Taylor was eventually stopped a few miles away by police who blocked the road with a patrol van.

Taylor left the court grinning and sneered “lucky you” at Mr Edwards, who recently had the attempted murder allegation made against him dropped.

After the hearing, Mr Edwards said: “It is hard to find words to describe how ridiculous the sentence is. I’m absolutely disgusted.

“We have had four months of being treated like criminals only to see the real criminal let off with a measly fine which will be paid for by the taxpayer since he is on state benefits.”

The family claimed they have lost thousands of pounds through theft and damage caused in a number of raids on their land. But Taylor was only charged with stealing one van-load of metal – which was recovered when he was arrested by North Yorkshire Police.

Scarborough magistrates ordered Taylor to pay £34.99 for the damage caused to the farm gate and padlock when the thief rammed it while trying to escape.

Ian Brickman, defending, said: “Whatever Mr Taylor has done wrong he did not deserve the treatment he received and he was lucky to escape with his life and still be with us.

“He is a man of limited means. As a result of this incident he has been traumatised and is no longer in a position to be in gainful employment.

“I accept Mr Taylor was in the wrong but would submit the way he has been treated has been sufficient punishment in itself.”

Taylor, 39, of Cromwell Terrace, Scarborough, admitted the theft on August 26 at Whin Covert at Riggs Head, near East Ayton.

The haul os stolen property included a saw and stand, a mountain bike, furniture, scrap metal and wiring.

Taylor was also ordered to pay £85 in court costs and a £15 victim surcharge, which made a total legal bill of £234.99 with the fine and compensation that he agreed to pay at £10 a fortnight out of his benefits.

After the hearing, Mr Edwards claimed he had not been given an explanation by North Yorkshire Police as to why the attempted murder allegation had been dropped.

It followed advice from the Crown Prosecution Service.

“I can only think it was because they knew it was not going to go anywhere,” he said.

“The police have acted like bullies who has turned someone who was very supportive of their work into someone who wants nothing more to do with them.”

His father, Garry Edwards, 67, said his son should have been praised for making a stand, and added: “Because he used the only means he had, a gun, he has been treated as a criminal instead of a hero. That can’t be right.”

A North Yorkshire Police spokesman confirmed the force had completed the investigation into the shooting incident at Riggs Head on August 26 last year.

The spokesman added: “Following consultation with the Crown Prosecution Service, a 50-year-old woman and a 21-year-old man, who were arrested in connection with the incident, have been released from bail without any further action being taken against them.”

email [email protected]