A WINCHCOMBE farmer has been fined £500 with £300 costs after being found guilty of causing

injury and unnecessary suffering to sheep.

The case against Richard Andrews was brought by Worcestershire Trading Standards Service following a road accident near Worcester last year.

The animals had been on their way to Worcester Cattle Market when the trailer they were carried in came loose on a roundabout and overturned.

Animal health and welfare officers were quickly at the scene of the accident, which left

17 sheep dead.

On Friday, Worcester magistrates found Mr Andrews guilty of causing suffering and injury

to the animals under the provisions of the Welfare of Animals (Transportation) Act 1997 and

The Animals Health Act 1981.

Commenting on the case, Phillipa Davies of the Worcestershire trading standards said:

"The treatment of farm animals when being transported is a key priority for our service.

"In this instance, magistrates decided that proper consideration had not been paid to the

welfare of the animals and penalised him appropriately."

She added that any farmers who wanted advice on animal transportation issues could contact

trading standards on 01905 766709.

The accident that led Andrews to court took place the Nunnery Way Roundabout, near Worcester, on April 16, 2002.