Sheep farmer faces huge legal bill after CPS abandons case

A Welsh sheep farmer faces paying a huge legal bill of several thousand pounds after the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) withdrew their case against him.

Bryn Roberts was prosecuted by the CPS after his sheep wandered off common land along a public highway leading to the A55 expressway in Conwy, North Wales.

The police identified two sheep by their tag numbers to Mr Roberts’ holding and he was charged and later convicted of anti-social behaviour. He had already received a warning from North Wales Police to keep his sheep on the common about a year before the incident last autumn.

See also: Farmer’s court appeal ‘pivotal’ over common grazing rights

Mr Roberts, who keeps sheep on common land near the Sychnant Pass, denied the offence but was found guilty at a local magistrates court in February. He was fined £200 and ordered to pay CPS costs of £1,200.

The 57-year-old farmer had been due to appeal his conviction at Caernarfon Crown Court on Friday 15 November 2024, incurring further legal costs in the process.

The case had raised concerns among graziers with rights to common land, as it could set a legal precedent for similar prosecutions.

However, 36 hours before the hearing was set to begin, the CPS withdrew its case against Mr Roberts, leaving him with substantial legal fees to pay.

Graziers join forces

Common land farmers from four grazing associations had come together only days before the hearing was due to be heard and contributed £2,250 towards Mr Roberts’ legal fees.

But despite having his name cleared, he is still facing a legal bill in excess of £12,000.

Dewi Jones, secretary of the Tal y Fan Common Grazing Association, which has supported Mr Roberts since the beginning of this case, told Farmers Weekly he was angered by the CPS’ decision to withdraw the case at the 11th hour.

“I think it was very cynical of the CPS to withdraw their case against Mr Roberts within a few hours of the case being heard.

“If Mr Roberts’ appeal case had failed it would have had serious implications for all graziers, not only on Tal y Fan common, but across England and Wales.”

Meeting

Last month, the Tal y Fan Common Grazing Association held a meeting to discuss plans to erect a fence on the common land to prevent stock from wandering onto the highway.

However, it is unlawful to place a fixed structure, including any fencing, on common land.

“The outcome of this case means stock will continue to wander onto the highway and also into people’s gardens. We desperately need Conwy County Council to come up with a solution.”