Posted on Friday 7th March 2025
Cllr Victoria Wilson
A Staffordshire farmer has been banned from keeping livestock for 10 years, after breaching animal welfare rules.
David Webster, 61 from Hall Farm, Crake Marsh, Uttoxeter pleaded guilty to multiple animal welfare offences at a hearing on the 4 March 2025 at the North Staffordshire Justice centre.
The farmer was prosecuted by Staffordshire County Councils Trading Standards Team in one of the worse cases of animal welfare the team has seen recently.
Webster admitted failing to provide basic care needs to cattle that he owned and for causing unnecessary suffering to an animal by failing to seek veterinary treatment.
In January 2024, welfare issues were found at the farm run by Webster, including animals in poor condition whose basic care needs were not being met.
At the sentencing, Mr Webster was given a 10 year ban from keeping livestock, plus 17 weeks in jail suspended for two years. He was also ordered to pay costs of £6870.
Victoria Wilson, Cabinet member with responsibility for Trading Standards at Staffordshire County Council said:
“Our animal health team work hard to make sure that livestock is looked after properly and there is no compromise in animal welfare. This is a particularly upsetting case involving a number of cattle where their basic care needs were not met.
“Thankfully, the vast majority of Staffordshire farmers and livestock owners take good care of their animals and follow the rules. However, on some occasions, we do see incidents where these standards are not met, as in this case. I’m pleased that the court has reached a successful conclusion, this case should send out a clear message that we will take action to ensure the welfare needs of animals are provided for and the rules are adhered to.”