A GWENT slaughterman appeared in court yesterday charged in connection with an incident during a cull of sheep in last year's foot-and-mouth crisis.
At Pentonville magistrates court, Newport, Adrian Walker, aged 32, of Tolstone House, Grosmont, Abergavenny, pleaded not guilty to a charge of failing to discharge his duty properly when killing stray sheep with a .22 rifle.
Monmouthshire county council is also charged with breaching health and safety rules. Magistrates accepted a not guilty plea on their behalf after the council failed to enter a plea.
The local authority is charged under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 with failing to ensure the safety of Walker, members of the public and police officers during the firing of free bullets when dealing with stray animals and with failing to properly supervise animal culls.
It is also charged under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 of failing to assess risk to employees and to non-employees.
The prosecution is being brought by the Health and Safety Executive.
The case was adjourned until April 8.
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