Vet Sue Potter had to hold her breath under the slurry
Posted on 01/23/2004 9:02:55 AM PST by alnitak
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Vet Sue Potter had to hold her breath under the slurry
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Judge Stephen O'Malley released farmer Roger Baker on bail while a pre-sentence report was carried out, but warned him he faced jail.
The jury at Taunton Crown Court could not agree on a second charge of threats to kill and the case was dropped by the prosecution.
Susan Potter, 46, and animal health inspector Jonathan McCulloch, 27, were videoing a dead lamb and emaciated cattle on Baker's land at Ventongimps, near Truro, a year ago when the attack took place.
Baker, 61, first dragged Mr McCulloch into knee-deep liquid manure and when Mrs Potter went to his aid he turned on her and pushed her into the mire.
Mrs Potter told the jury she thought she was going to be drowned and had to hold her breath as she was held under the liquid.
 Roger Baker denied making threats
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Baker, who lives in a caravan at Ventongimps, denied affray and threats to kill.
He did not give evidence but his barrister Robert Linford said his actions, while scandalous and deplorable, did not amount to affray.
He said Baker did not make any threats but if he had they were not meant to be taken seriously.
Michael Brabin, prosecuting, told the jury: "What happened to Mrs Potter was no laughing matter but in James Herriot's words, it should not happen to a vet."
Baker, a sheep trader, has convictions for animal cruelty spanning 30 years.
In 1999 he was jailed for five-and-a-half months for abusing dozens of animals and was banned for life from keeping livestock.
'Consistently cruel'
At the time an RSPCA spokesman described him as the "most consistently cruel person" they had dealt with.
As a result of his history, Judge Stephen O'Malley warned Baker he faces jail.
Addressing defence barrister Robert Linford, he said: "He has been sentenced to imprisonment twice and it hasn't resulted in improvements."
He added: "The details and overall position will impinge on my mind when deciding whether or how long he is going to spend in prison."
Speaking directly to Baker, he said: "I warn you it will be a sentence of imprisonment on you for affray."
He released Baker on bail on the condition he assists in the preparation of a pre-sentence report.
There would not be a jury in the country (US) that would indict me.
{Ya beet me two sh#t!}
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