An Essex farmer who failed to ensure his trailer was properly attached to his tractor resulting in the death of a 79-year-old man has been jailed for 30 months.
Frank Fenning, 79, was killed when the trailer, being pulled by 67-year-old farmer Colin Baines, came loose and struck him in Birch Street, Birch, on July 5, 2015.
The trailer had safely carried more than 100 bales of hay that morning and had delivered a similar number on the previous day without any problem.
Sentencing Colin Baines at Ipswich Crown Court Judge Rupert Overbury said the case sent out a message to all those who towed trailers on public roads that they must ensure it was done safely.
“It is equally imperative in the absence of legislation requiring specific training and qualification, as with HGV drivers, that the farming community ensures all farming operatives of large agricultural machinery on country roads are trained, not only to drive them safely, but also have the requisite knowledge of all their safety features and procedures, particularly when trailers are attached,” he said.
He told Baines that as a professional farmer he had responsibilities to ensure that the movement of large agricultural machinery along country roads was done safely.
He said there was no dispute that it was only the state of Baines’ tractor and trailer rather than his driving which caused Mr Fenning’s death.
In addition to jailing Baines, Judge Overbury banned him from driving for 39 months.
