WILLIAM BENNEY'S HORRIFIC FARMING CRIMES IN HELSTON REVEALED

William Thomas Gerald Benney, born around 1941 and residing at Trease Farm in Cury Cross Lanes, Helston, became the focus of a disturbing animal welfare case that shocked the local community and animal rights advocates alike. The incident came to light after inspectors uncovered a series of appalling conditions on his farm, located on the scenic Lizard peninsula, where the suffering of numerous lambs and sheep was laid bare.

Animal welfare officials, including a Defra veterinarian, conducted a thorough inspection of Trease Farm in March 2017. What they discovered was nothing short of horrifying: the remains of 35 lambs and sheep, many in advanced stages of decomposition, scattered across the fields. The inspectors noted that some of these animals appeared to have been trapped in mud, leading to their deaths, and the carcasses had been left unattended for a significant period. The sight of these rotting remains was a stark indicator of neglect and cruelty.

Further examination revealed that a substantial number of the surviving sheep were suffering from severe lameness and foot-rot, with some bleeding from their feet and pus oozing from swollen legs. The inspectors observed that approximately a quarter of the flock, which numbered around 120 sheep, were lame and in distress. The conditions of the animals painted a grim picture of neglect and poor welfare standards.

During the investigation, William Benney admitted to being unable to care for his animals for two weeks due to health issues, including the flu, a knee injury, and sheep-dip poisoning. He explained that he had asked a friend to look after the flock, although she lacked any experience in sheep care. This explanation did little to mitigate the severity of the neglect, especially considering the evidence of ongoing suffering and improper treatment.

One particularly disturbing aspect of the case involved the illegal tail docking of lambs. On a subsequent visit in August, inspectors found that Benney had used a carving knife to dock the tails of lambs without administering any anesthetic, a clear violation of animal welfare laws. The court heard that this practice was carried out unlawfully and contributed to the overall neglect of the animals.

William Benney, who had previously been a respected figure in the local agricultural community, was known for his achievements in sheep showing and his roles as a parish councillor and village hall committee chairman. He was a third-generation farmer at Trease Farm, with a career spanning over 60 years, during which he had received numerous accolades and recognition. However, the court was told that in recent years, his health had declined, and he admitted to being unable to properly care for his flock.

During the court proceedings, Benney pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including failing to prevent unnecessary suffering to his sheep, unlawfully docking tails without anesthesia, neglecting to treat lameness, failing to record medication administered to the flock, and failing to dispose of the carcasses properly. At one point, he was seen chuckling in court, which drew a stern rebuke from Judge Diane Baker, who told him, “I don’t find any of this funny at all. You should listen carefully to what’s been said and not make any funny noises or shake your head.”

As the evidence was presented, Benney became visibly emotional, shedding tears as the full extent of his neglect was revealed. Prosecutor Kingsley Keat, representing Cornwall Council, detailed the findings of the inspectors, emphasizing the long-standing nature of the neglect and the suffering inflicted upon the animals. He described the scene as one of the worst cases of animal welfare violations he had encountered recently.

Judge Baker acknowledged the seriousness of the case, stating, “If you had been a younger man, I would be sending you straight out that door to immediate custody.” However, considering Benney’s age, health issues, and previous good character, she decided to suspend the prison sentence. The court sentenced him to four months in prison, suspended for two years, and ordered him to pay costs amounting to £6,329. Additionally, Benney was banned from keeping sheep or cattle for a period of ten years, a measure aimed at preventing further neglect and cruelty.

This case has sparked widespread condemnation and serves as a stark reminder of the importance of animal welfare and the consequences of neglect by those entrusted with caring for farm animals.