'Drunken idiot' comes forward after letting out 120 buffalo from Fife farm

The man, who went to the farm after a night out, has since confessed to his crimes (Photo: Shawsmill Stables)
The man, who went to the farm after a night out, has since confessed to his crimes (Photo: Shawsmill Stables)

A man has come forward after he purposely let out more than 120 buffalo and six horses from a Scottish farm whilst drunk.

CCTV shows an intoxicated man letting out the animals at The Buffalo Farm and Shawsmill Stables, near Kirkcaldy, Fife.

The man also kicked the animals. The incident happened at 4:20am on Sunday morning (4 March).

37-year-old Michael Payne, of the Shawsmill Stables, told STV he shared the footage to catch the "drunken idiot" responsible.

"They could have easily ventured down to the main road and caused an accident, especially with the bad weather," he said.

"One of the cows ended up giving birth dangerously early when it was out because of the stress of it all."

The drunken man, who hasn't been named, has since visited the farm in person to confess and apologise. Charges are still being pursued.

'Causing distruction'

Shawsmill Stable posted on Facebook: "We believe that this individual was on their way home from a night out in nearby Kirkcaldy and may have walked or been dropped by taxi along the route of Oriel Road/Old Torbain Road heading towards Cardenden and had to walk the remainder of the way home.

"It would appear they broke into Buffalo Farm first then carried on to us causing destruction and harm to animals at each place.

"The man can be seen on the CCTV footage falling over face first onto the palms of his hands so may have some injuries."

The farm continued: "Charges are still being pursued via the police so the person will have to face what he has done via correct and legal means.

"The person who committed this act has personally been to see us today to confess what he has done. He has also been to the buffalo farm to confess."

"Although we are heartbroken (and understandably angry), we do feel genuine remorse from the person who has done this.

"We can not forgive but hopefully in time we can forget and put all of this behind us."