Pot-shots slaughterman case

Originally from: Sue Mason
                        
A slaughterman appeared in court today charged with flouting safety laws after allegedly taking pot shots at sheep with a rifle during the foot-and-mouth crisis.
Adrian Walker, 33, had been contracted by Monmouthshire County Council as a marksman to cull stray sheep in the county following fears they had contracted the disease.
He was allegedly caught on film firing at a group of stray sheep in an open field and chasing a wounded animal to finish it off in the village of Gilwern, Monmouthshire, south Wales, on April 11 last year.
Walker, of Tolstone House, Grosmont, Abergavenny, appeared at Cardiff Crown Court to face two charges under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 for failing to ensure the safety of others during the cull.
Monmouthshire County Council is also charged with four breaches of health and safety rules.
The local authority is charged under the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 with failing to ensure the safety of people during the firing of free bullets when dealing with stray animals and with failing to properly supervise animal culls.
It is also accused under the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations 1999 of failing to assess risk to employees and to non-employees.
The prosecution is being brought by the Health and Safety Executive.
The case was adjourned until a later date.