A farming family from Breage who kept cows tightly chained around the neck and without access to water have been sentenced at Truro Magistrates' Court.

William, Mark and Aaron Harris, who farm at The Elms, Treworlis Barton, were sentenced on Wednesday following the third prosecution against the family brought by Cornwall Council’s quality standards and animal health team.

The two day trial considered 17 charges each against Mr Mark Harris and Mr William Harris and one charge against Mr Aaron Harris, covering various animal welfare problems and also offences of obstruction.

The court heard that animal health inspectors and police carried out three visits to the Harris’ farm, and found cattle in poor condition and unacceptable housing, tied by the neck so tightly that they could not lie down with many unable to reach drinking water. The Harris’ refused to change their practices despite advice being repeatedly given.

The court heard that on one occasion council officers and vets were subjected to the Harris’ obstructive behaviour, which led to Aaron Harris being pepper-sprayed by police.

In December 2012 William Harris was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to cattle and disqualified from keeping cattle for a year, and in August 2014 Mark Harris was found guilty of causing unnecessary suffering to cattle.

Geoff Brown, Cornwall Council cabinet member for communities said: “Our officers were very disappointed to discover that practices on this farm have not improved despite advice being given and previous enforcement action being taken against this family.

"We always take proportionate action and here the complete disregard for advice given and the continued suffering of the poor cattle on this farm have left us with no option but to put these offences before the courts again.

"Cornwall has a fine-farming reputation and the agriculture sector is a huge part of the community here in Cornwall. The council wishes to support and promote the farming industry and its reputation – in order to do this we must ensure we prevent poor practices and stop any unnecessary suffering we discover. Our officers and the APHA vets were subjected to unacceptable violent and threatening behaviour by this family whilst trying to undertake their duties - fortunately the police were on hand to control the situation.”

William Harris, 73, and Mark Harris, 40, were each found guilty of eight offences of causing unnecessary suffering to animals, eight offences of not taking steps to ensure the needs of animals were met, and one offence of obstructing or impeding, or assisting in obstructing an officer in the execution of his duty.

William Harris was given an 18 week sentence suspended for two years, with £5,000 costs and an £80 victim surcharge, and banned for life from owning or keeping farmed livestock and given 28 days to dispose of all his cattle.

Mark Harris was given a 12 week sentence suspended for 2 years, with £5,000 costs and an £80 victim surcharge, and banned for life from owning or keeping farmed livestock.

Aaron Harris, 37, was found guilty of obstructing or impeding an inspector or constable or other officer in the execution of his duty, or assisting in such obstructing or impeding, and given a conditional discharge for three years and ordered to pay £1,199 in costs and a £15 victim surcharge.