‘Horror’ as Honiton cattle left to die in slurry and scrap

A farmer has been given a life-long ban from keeping livestock after inspectors uncovered scenes described in court as “like a horror movie”.

David Rosewell, of Crook Farm, Combe Raleigh near Honiton, pleaded guilty to a string of animal welfare and environmental offences.

Exeter Magistrates Court heard how inspectors from Trading Standards, the Environment Agency and the Animal and Plant Health Agency found decomposing cattle carcasses, slurry-filled sheds, and starving animals living among abandoned vehicles.

In a case described by District Judge Smith as “shocking”, Rosewell was sentenced to 18 weeks in custody suspended for 12 months, with a condition he completes 150 hours of unpaid work.

The court heard that when inspectors visited the farm in March 2024 one calf was found lying in slurry and household litter after its mother had died.

Animals that were sick or starving were left to die. Live animals were living and grazing among carcasses and hazardous debris including scrap metal, broken concrete and abandoned vehicles.

Having been ordered to clean up the farm and feed the animals, Rosewell failed to act, despite repeated warnings, the court was told.

Judge Smith slammed Rosewell for becoming “numb to the suffering of your cattle”.

He said the animals had endured “prolonged ill treatment and harm” and some had “starved to death”.

Rosewell admitted six charges of ill-treating animals. He also admitted failing to ensure slurry was properly stored according to regulations and failing to comply with a notice to clear the slurry.

He was ordered to pay a total of £18,251 in costs and was banned for life from owning or caring for cattle, sheep, pigs, goats or poultry.

Fakir Mohamed Osman, head of Heart of the South West Trading Standards, said after the case: “Despite advice and guidance from Trading Standards and government vets during previous visits, the conditions at the farm worsened and Rosewell’s failure to follow our advice left us with no alternative but to prosecute.”

An Environment Agency spokesperson added: “This was a shocking case where we had no option but to prosecute. It does not reflect the efforts most farmers take to protect the environment.”

The Animal and Plant Health Agency called it “one of the worst examples of farm animal suffering and neglect” and praised the joint effort to bring Rosewell to justice.