Asbo pig farmer given animal ban

Farmer Brian Hagan farms near Fakenham, Norfolk

A farmer who received an Anti-Social Behaviour Order (Asbo) for failing to control his pigs has been banned from keeping the animals for 10 years.

Brian Hagan was given the Asbo in 2004 after his pigs kept escaping from his Norfolk farm. RSPCA inspectors later found animals in a poor condition.

At King's Lynn Magistrates on Thursday, the 63-year-old admitted causing unnecessary suffering to animals.

After the hearing, Hagan said he now planned to retire from farming.

Hagan, who farms at Briston, said the last 15-months had been awful and he felt persecuted by his neighbours.

The court heard that when RSPCA inspector Rob Melloy visited a field used by Hagan last June, he discovered a number of emaciated pigs.

'Prolonged neglect'

Jonathan Eales, prosecuting, said no water or food had been provided and the piglets were wandering through a gap in electric fencing.

The next day, the RSPCA seized about 100 pigs being looked after by Hagan.

Arthur Balls, for Hagan, told the court his client had agreed to sell about 120 pigs, but things had "got on top of him".

"He can see how he did fail to provide the diet that was requested in the circumstances and he is remorseful about that," he added.

Passing sentence, chairman of the bench Charlotte Paton told Hagan there had been "prolonged neglect".

Hagan was also ordered to pay costs of £4,813.