LIAM BROWN OF BOURNEMOUTH SHOCKS COMMUNITY WITH HORRIFIC FARM ABUSE NEAR CHRISTCHURCH

Liam Brown, a man born around 1998 and residing on Grosvenor Gardens in Boscombe, Bournemouth, has been convicted of a deeply disturbing and heinous crime involving animal abuse at a farm near Christchurch. The incident, which took place in Burton, Dorset, has sent shockwaves through the local community and raised serious concerns about animal cruelty and the safety of rural farms in the area.

According to court reports, Brown broke into a farm located off Martins Hill Lane, where he committed acts of extreme cruelty against a calf. The farm owners, who had become increasingly suspicious of unusual activity and declining health among their livestock, had installed surveillance cameras to monitor their animals. Their fears were confirmed late on June 12, 2022, when footage revealed a disturbing scene: a figure, later identified as Liam Brown, chasing a calf with what appeared to be a belt, in a manner that suggested sexual assault.

The footage showed Brown with his trousers down, engaging in what was clearly an act of sexual penetration with the animal. The farm owners, upon reviewing the CCTV, saw him fleeing the scene after realizing he had been caught. In his attempt to escape, Brown jumped over a fence into another pen, where he was subsequently trampled by cows. Witnesses reported that he was found lying on the ground, crying and apologizing, saying, “I’m sorry, I f*” up.”

Following the incident, the farm owners confronted Brown, who initially claimed that he had finished and untied the calf. However, a DNA sample taken from the calf the following day confirmed that sexual contact had indeed occurred. The farm, which had previously employed members of Brown’s family, was devastated by the revelation. The owners expressed their inability to fully comprehend the extent of the abuse, describing it as something they could not accept or understand.

Prosecutor Matthew Mortimer detailed the case, emphasizing that the farm’s suspicions had been fueled by the presence of clothing and surgical gloves found on the property, as well as the livestock’s deteriorating health and unexplained deaths. The distress calls from the calves, heard shortly before midnight, prompted the farm owners to check their CCTV footage, leading to the discovery of the horrifying scene.

During the court proceedings, Olivia McGonigle, representing Brown, stated that her client was remorseful and devastated by the pain he had caused. She explained that Brown had been honest with probation services about his behavior and was actively working to address his issues, supported by his girlfriend. She also noted that Brown had moved away from Bournemouth and had no plans to work with livestock in the future.

Judge Keith Cutler CBE addressed the court, describing the case as “very alarming, bizarre and worrying.” He expressed disappointment that someone of Brown’s age could engage in such behavior and emphasized that his actions caused unnecessary suffering to the animal. The judge hoped that such incidents would not recur.

Following sentencing, one of the farm owners shared her concerns with the Daily Mail, revealing that she still checks the cattle pen every morning out of fear that Brown might return. She described the incident as profoundly depraved, recounting how she initially thought the calves were suffering from pneumonia, only to discover that they had been strangled with a belt. She expressed her belief that Brown should have faced prison time for his actions.

Brown was sentenced to a 36-month community order, which includes 150 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay £600 in compensation and was banned from owning or keeping livestock for ten years. The case has left a lasting impact on the local community, highlighting the importance of vigilance and animal welfare in rural Dorset.