Angry horse owner threatened police and RSPCA officers with plank of wood, court told

A horse owner found himself in court after he threatened police with a plank of wood when they arrived to take his animal

Carl Watson (45) yelled: " Get off my land, you can't take my horse."

He also shouted and swore and then picked up the large piece of fencing and began to wield it.

Watson ended up being PAVA sprayed and then picked up a rock the size of a bowling bowl and put it to his chest as if he was going to throw it.

He was sprayed with incapacitant again, Burnley magistrates were told.

Carer Watson was said to have got angry after he fell over in the mud. He claimed one of the party, which also included a vet, laughed at him.

Mr Andrew Robinson, prosecuting, said the police had gone with two RSPCA inspectors and were legally on the allotment on Moseley Road, Burnley, to help them seize the horse under the Animal Welfare Act.

The prosecutor said they were arranging transport for the animal when Watson arrived. The solicitor continued: "He seemed quite irate.

"He was refusing to listen and wouldn't have a rational conversation about what was taking place.

"He was just shouting and swearing."

Watson began to push against a gate and then picked up the piece of wood. Mr Robinson said :"He never touched the officer at any point. It was the threat."

The defendant was told to put the weapon down, responded by taking a step towards the officer, was PAVA sprayed, but still made threats with the wood.

Mr Robinson said:"In interview, he admitted he had lost his temper and said he was sorry."

Mr Mark Williams, defending Watson, said :"It does seem to be out of character for him and he's in some difficulty in explaining why he lost his temper in the way he did."

The solicitor said :"The police removed his horse. He does not know what has happened to it. He was contacted by the owners of the land to say they had no right to be on the property.

"That's what he was told and he went up to try and stop what was happening."

Mr Williams continued: " At some point it seems one of the people present laughed at him and I think that seems to be the catalyst for losing his temper.

"He tried to get through the gate, he has gone through and he has fallen over and landed in the mud and that did not help his state of mind at all. In his own words, he just lost it."

The defendant, of Cog Lane, Burnley, admitted assaulting a constable, on Thursday, April 5th. He was given a six-month community order, with a 10-day rehabilitation activity requirement and was fined Â£50.

Watson was told to pay Â£85 costs and an Â£85 victim surcharge.