Farmer faces £50,000 bill after bullock slams into motorist

An animal expert said Charolais can be "flighty" when scared (Stock photo)
An animal expert said Charolais can be "flighty" when scared (Stock photo)

A farmer faces paying a £50,000 bill after his bullock jumped over a six-foot fence and caused a serious car crash.

The half-a-tonne Charolais bullock leaped over the fence and crashed through a hedge and other fences before getting on to the A465 road at Glynneath, Neath Port Talbot, south Wales.

Martyn Williams, who was driving through the area, hit the bullock. He was badly injured, and the bullock died on impact. He suffered amnesia after the incident and does not remember the event well.

The Court of Appeal judges have now ruled that the farmer who owned the bullock, Jeffrey Hawkes, has to pay £50,000 compensation to Mr Williams, plus costs.

The Court of Appeal heard how Mr Hawkes' now deceased father, Derfyl, had bought the bullock at an auction in December 2011, just one day before the accident happened.

As Charolais cattle are usually docile, Derfyl put the bullock in a field with others and kept a close eye on them. But the bullock was later found to be missing by his son.

It had jumped over the six-foot fence and slammed its way through others, eventually coming onto the A465, slamming into Mr Williams Ford Mondeo, which was severely damaged due to the impact.

Due to Mr Williams' amnesia, the motorist behind him had to describe the event.

An animal expert said Charolais can be "flighty" when scared, but to this day it is still unknown as to what spooked it into jumping the fence.

The final amount of damages has yet to be assessed but Mr Williams is claiming up to £50,000. Mr Hawkes was also ordered to pay legal costs, estimated at £40,000.

Jeffrey Hawkes was sued on behalf of his father’s estate, and is liable to compensate the injured motorist.