Farmer charged over escaping pigs

Pig farmer Brian Hagan was arrested on Tuesday morning

A Norfolk farmer has been charged with breaching an anti-social behaviour order that was imposed because his pigs kept escaping.

Brian Hagan, 62, was given the order on Monday by Cromer magistrates after allegations from his neighbours the pigs had broken out again.

The farmer, from Briston, was told if his pigs or geese got out before 10 January, he could be prosecuted.

On Tuesday he was charged after it was alleged he breached his order.

Since they were introduced, anti-social behaviour orders - known as Asbos - have been used largely to crack down on urban crime.

Neighbours said the pigs constantly escaped

Mr Hagan has become the first farmer to get one after the court heard the pigs had regularly wandered off his land, and onto adjoining fields, damaging gardens and crops.

Under the terms of the order, the farmer was instructed to pen them in, and ensure they stayed on his property.

Mr Hagan was arrested on Tuesday morning after the latest alleged break-out and later charged with breaking the order.

One neighbour has put up a 7ft fence to keep the pigs out. Another has dug a 6ft ditch to keep them off his land.