Wigglesworth Farmer fined for section 4a public order offence

A FARMER blamed a 'spree of rural crime' for causing him to shout abuse and threaten inspectors who were checking overhead lines on his land, a court heard.

Hayden Fortune, 47, had admitted using threatening/abusive/insulting words or behaviour to cause alarm and distress towards husband and wife inspection team Duncan and Tracy Thomson on October 25 last year.

Fortune, of Pyethornes Farm, Wigglesworth, had first appeared at Skipton Magistrates' Court on May 19 to face the charge but his solicitor was unable to attend and the case was adjourned for a plea hearing to June 2 at York Magistrates' Court where he pleaded guilty.