Banned for Five Years: Truro Smallholders Fined Over Shocking Animal Cruelty Case

Two smallholders from Truro have been banned from keeping farm animals and ordered to pay more than £11,000 in fines and court costs after pleading guilty to a series of animal welfare offences.

Neglect and Dangerous Conditions

On Thursday 8th May 2025, Paul Ford and Rebecca Austin, of Little Chacewood Farm and Farm Shop, admitted five charges of animal cruelty at Plymouth Magistrates’ Court. The case related to neglect during the winter of 2023, when Ford and Austin failed to provide clean water and bedding for their pigs and poultry.

The court heard that the animals were kept in hazardous conditions, with access to scrap metal, old machinery, live electrical wires and sharp, rusty sheets of corrugated iron.

Ignored Council Warnings

Officers from Cornwall Council’s Animal Health and Environmental Health teams had previously visited the smallholding and given advice and guidance, but this was ignored.

In addition to failing to provide basic care, Ford and Austin did not dispose of poultry slaughter waste, including feathers and blood, and failed to manage a rodent infestation.

Court Sentencing and Fines

Ford was fined £778, ordered to pay a £311 surcharge and told to contribute £8,000 towards Cornwall Council’s costs. Austin received a £162 fine, a £65 surcharge and was ordered to pay £2,539 in costs. Both have been banned from keeping farmed animals for five years.

Magistrates were told the pair had provided “well-intentioned but incompetent care” while trying to juggle farm responsibilities with other jobs.

Council Response

Stephanie Martin, Senior Trading Standards Officer at Cornwall Council, said:

“Mr Ford and Miss Austin had been offered considerable advice over a number of years. They completely ignored this advice and failed to provide the most basic care to their animals.”

Kevin Brader, Head of Public Protection at Cornwall Council, added:

“This case is a distressing example of smallholders attempting to farm without the appropriate knowledge.
Where individuals do not provide adequate care for their animals, we will take enforcement action to safeguard industry standards.”

Cornwall Council confirmed it will monitor the site to ensure Paul and Rebecca comply with the court order.

📷Image of a pig at the smallholding. - Photo credit: Cornwall Council.