Zoo chief cleared of dangerous driving at animal protesters

Bernard Bale, 63, was captured on closed circuit TV and mobile phone footage driving onto a grass verge through a 5ft long banner held by two protesters outside Jungle Zoo, in Cleethorpes.

A demonstrator suffered a grazed nose when one of the poles supporting the banner apparently fell on him. He did not require hospital treatment.

Mr Bale was charged with dangerous driving but after hearing the prosecution case at Doncaster Crown Court, Judge John Bullimore ordered the jury to return a formal not guilty verdict following a “procedural error”.

The two-day trial is believed to have cost the taxpayers more than 20,000.

The saga began when a dozen placard-bearing demonstrators gathered outside Jungle Zoo last Easter Day. Mr Bale became indignant as the protesters started hurling four-letter abuse at passers-by, including families and children.

He and his staff called police four times for help but got no response and he drove round Cleethorpes looking for an officer.

In police interviews he denied using his vehicle as a weapon and had become frightened because “people were shouting and thumping on the side of the van”.

Afterwards Mr Bale said the whole experience had been “very upsetting and very frustrating”.

Police admitted that they had not served the notice of intended prosecution within 14 days.

Chief Supt David Hilditch of Humberside Police said: “We regret the outcome.”