A SHEPHERD who was prosecuted last year for leaving dead animals to rot in a muck heap is back in court again for similar offences.

Jonathan Hornsby Simpson, of Meadow Bank, Faringdon, was at Oxford Crown Court on Thursday (August 1) charged with several animal welfare and farming standards offences – including leaving the body of a dead sheep uncovered and exposed.

The 39-year-old is accused of failing to record veterinary medicine purchased between March 25, 2023 and February 19 this year, failing to provide transport documentation between May 16 and September 23, 2023, transporting sheep without authorisation between the same dates, driving/transporting domestic ovine species without a certification between May 17, 2023 and February 19, and transporting sheep in a way that would likely to cause them injury between September 11 and November 1, 2023.

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He is also accused of leaving the body of dead sheep, which had not been slaughtered for human consumption, uncovered as well as leaving bones scattered across a field.

The shepherd pleaded guilty to the offences but on a basis of plea – stating the bones were not a fault of his but had been ‘washed’ onto the field.

However, the Crown Prosecution Service state it was his responsible regardless.

They stated an expert may be needed to analyse the bones prior to sentencing so a newton hearing has been scheduled in order to establish the facts of the case.

The court heard that Simpson has already been convicted last year of similar offences which occurred between 2017 and 2022.

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He was sentenced to a 12-month community order, including completion of a 15-day rehabilitation requirement.

He was also ordered to pay £2,000 towards the prosecution’s costs, as well as already paying thousands of pounds for the appropriate removal of the muck heap and animal by-products.

Speaking at the time, Jody Kerman, Oxfordshire County Council’s Head of Trading Standards, said: “We fully support our farming community and all those who work in it. The vast majority work to the highest standards.

"Those who seek to bypass the rules not only put the integrity of the food chain at risk but also gain an unfair advantage over hardworking farmers.

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“Animal welfare legislation is there for very good reason, to control disease, to protect animals and to ensure the safety of the wider food chain. These offences put all that at risk.”

She added Simpson had ‘risked the spread of disease’.

Simpson is next due in court on October 7 and has been granted unconditional bail until that date.